The U.S. hit over 85 Iran-linked targets in retaliatory strikes

The U.S. says it has struck more than 85 targets at seven facilities used by Iran or Iran-allied groups in Iraq and Syria.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

And we begin this hour with the retaliatory strikes at sites in Iraq and Syria. Those strikes occurred yesterday at the direction of President Biden. And they come in the wake of an attack that killed three U.S. Army reservists in Jordan. NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman joins us now. Tom, thanks so much for being with us.

TOM BOWMAN, BYLINE: Hey, Scott.

SIMON: The reservists were in Jordan, the strikes in Iraq and Syria. But safe to say, it’s all about Iran, isn’t it? What about the sites hit yesterday?

BOWMAN: Well, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that seven locations of Iranian-backed militias and also Iranian Revolutionary Guards were hit by American bombers and other war planes. The locations were in Iraq and Syria – more than 85 targets in all – airstrikes that lasted roughly a half hour or so. And then, Scott, there was a wide array of targets – command and control centers, headquarters buildings, intelligence centers, missile and drone sites, storage facilities, logistics, ammunition – again, quite a few.

And we’re told the targets were chosen to avoid civilian casualties, but they don’t know yet how many militants were killed or wounded. Officials say all the targets were connected to attacks on U.S. personnel in the region, including, of course, as you mentioned, the three soldiers from Georgia killed last weekend at a remote base in Jordan by a suicide drone. The Iraqi government, by the way, was informed beforehand. But, of course, they’re pretty upset about airstrikes on their territory.

SIMON: U.S. military officials have talked about this being what they call a multi-tiered response. What does that mean?

BOWMAN: In – well, John Kirby told reporters in that call yesterday, it will not end tonight. And we could see more strikes in…