"US Retaliatory Airstrikes in Middle East Following Drone Attack and Troop Deaths: Live Updates"

The United States conducted retaliatory military strikes in Iraq and Syria against Iranian forces and militias backed by Iran, following a drone attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. The strikes targeted over 85 sites linked to specific attacks against U.S. troops, resulting in at least 18 reported deaths of Iran-backed group members in Syria. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on Iran and unsealed charges against individuals involved in illicit oil sales to finance militant groups. The Biden administration aims to send a message of deterrence while avoiding direct conflict with Iran, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.