Iran claims ‘decisive’ response to US forces

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian boasted during a visit to Moscow that Iran acted decisively against the US in Syria after escalating tensions between US forces and pro-Iranian militias in eastern Syria. The Iranian diplomat arrived in Moscow late Tuesday for meetings with his Russian counterparts.

According to Iranian reports, he said, “Our answer to the American side was decisive and clear.” Iran’s top diplomat met Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday. They held discussions about the Caucasus, where tensions between

Azerbaijan and Armenia have grown recently.

Amirabdollahian also discussed the normalization deal that Iran signed with Saudi Arabia, and how Iran is looking to normalize ties with other countries in the region. “The return of normal relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is considered an important step,” he said.

He also made important comments about Syria, noting that the US made baseless claims regarding Iran’s role in the targeting of US bases. Iran currently operates in Syria and backs militias there. In the last two years, pro-Iran groups have carried out some 80 attacks on US forces.

The US operates in Syria to back the Syrian Defense Force (SDF) against ISIS, maintaining several hundred troops there, though some are located near the Euphrates river at two facilities, Conoco and Omar Field.

Iran’s militias frequently target these locations with rockets and drones. A US contractor was killed recently and US personnel were wounded, leading to two waves of airstrikes against the pro-Iran militias. The US blamed Iran for being linked to these tensions.

The White House warned Iran that it will act forcefully against these attacks, while Iran and Syria have condemned the airstrikes. Iran and Syria see the US as illegally operating in Syria.

Iran is also a growing partner of Russia and China. Abdollahian said: “We are not looking for conflict and tension. Iran has always played a constructive and positive role in helping peace in the region. Regarding the events east of the Euphrates, our answer to the American side was decisive and clear.”

Iran’s decision to mention the US while in Russia can be seen as intended to show that Iran is willing to respond to US actions in Syria, even if Iran has provoked those responses. Iran wants Russia’s support on these issues as well. Russia has been hosting Iran, Syrian and Turkish diplomats, hoping to strengthen the Syrian regime. Russia, Iran, Syria and Turkey also all want the US to leave eastern Syria.