Tensions between the United States and Iran have renewed, and fighting on the Syrian-Iraqi border looks set to rekindle at any time. According to the BBC on February 2, the United States has approved plans to carry out a series of air strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq. This news was like a bombshell, which instantly detonated the attention of the international community.
On January 28 in Jordan near the Syrian border, a drone launched an attack on a U.S. military base, killing three U.S. soldiers. The U.S. side pointed out that the Iranian-backed Iraqi "Islamic Resistance Group" was behind the scenes. Iran, for its part, has vehemently denied any involvement in the matter. However, U.S. intelligence determined that the drones used in the attack were Iranian-made, adding fuel to the tension between the U.S. and Iran.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made a tough statement at a press conference: "We will respond in the place we choose, at the time we choose, and in the way we choose." These words undoubtedly announced to the world that the United States has zero tolerance for this attack. However, U.S. officials have been tight-lipped about the specific timeline for potential air strikes, saying only that they hope that weather conditions will allow to reduce the risk of accidental civilian injury.
At the same time, Biden is facing tremendous pressure from Republican lawmakers. They demanded that Biden take tough action against targets inside Iran in a demonstration of American strength and resolve. However, Biden has said that they are not seeking a wider war with Iran, but rather want to resolve the issue diplomatically.
It is worth noting that Iran has withdrawn its senior advisers from Syria following a series of Israeli airstrikes to avoid direct involvement in the wider conflict in the region. This move seems to indicate that the Iranian side is also seeking to avoid a direct confrontation with the United States.
Tensions in U.S.-Iran relations tug at global nerves. At this critical moment when war is on the verge of breaking out, all parties should remain calm and exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation. After all, peace and stability are the common aspirations of the international community.