A senior US source said on Wednesday that President Joe Biden requested alternatives early last week to address attacks on American troops by organizations connected to the Iranian IRGC.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US military confirmed attacks on infrastructure sites utilized by organizations connected to the IRGC on Tuesday night.
The attacks were in retaliation for Iranian IRGC militia attacks on US forces on August 15 in Syria.
Tuesday, August 16, in the Oval Office, there was a discussion on the US’s response to the incident, a senior administration official informed Al Arabiya English.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan informed Biden as the choices were being considered over the course of the previous week and the weekend.
On August 22, the US president was informed on the possibilities by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the highest military officer in the country, Gen. Mark Milley.
The US official claimed, “The President ordered the action following that briefing.”
Even though Washington and Tehran are getting closer to a nuclear agreement, US officials have stated that the US will continue to defend US people and stop Iran and the Iranian IRGC along with its militia from doing anything that endangers their safety.
An administration official stated, “The nuclear deal has nothing to do with our readiness and capacity to protect our people and our interests. The President concluded that taking this step was in our best interest in terms of national security. He and his national security staff will continue to keep a close eye on the issue.