U.S. President Joe Biden. -Reuters
WASHINGTON: The US military launched retaliatory air strikes against Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria on Friday, killing at least 18 fighters, following a deadly drone attack on an American base in Jordan.
The United States blamed the Sunday drone attack on Iran-backed forces, but did not strike the country's territory, with Washington seeking to deter future attacks while stopping short of all-out war with Tehran -- something both sides have sought to avoid.
