This comes just days after an Iranian missile attack hit close to the U.S consulate complex in northern Iraq.
Pentagon reporters were told by Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie that Iran had attacked U.S. facilities and forces a few times in the last six months, but that “very good action on behalf of commanders on ground” has prevented any U.S. casualties.
McKenzie stated, “Had U.S. casualties taken place, I believe we might have been in a very different position right now.”
McKenzie and other U.S. officials stated this week that the missile strikes that struck close to the consulate on Sunday were not directed at the U.S. The powerful Revolutionary Guard of Iran also claimed on its website that it attacked an Israeli spy centre in Irbil.
Officials from the U.S., Israel and other countries declined to comment publicly on or describe the target. The attack occurred several days after Iran had said that it would retaliate against an Israeli strike in Syria near Damascus which killed two members its Revolutionary Guard.
“It’s evident that Israel will take steps to defend itself against Iranian actions,” McKenzie said Friday. McKenzie stated Friday that Iran is committed to the destruction Israel. “I worry about the exchanges between Iran, Israel, because our forces are often at risk in Iraq and Syria. This is what concerns me.
McKenzie is retiring after three years of leading U.S. Central Command. He spoke at what was likely to be his last press briefing. As he prepares for the transfer of the job to Army Gen. Erik Kurilla’s, McKenzie stated that Iran remains his greatest challenge.
McKenzie stated that Iran was the central problem of his three years in command. He also oversaw the chaotic withdrawal form Afghanistan and the commando raids to eliminate Islamic State leaders. There were many other problems, some huge problems, but headquarters… was focused on the Iranian problem, and all attendants to it.
Iran has been wary of the U.S. presence within Iraq for many years. However, tensions rose after a U.S. drone strike on January 2020 near Baghdad’s airport killed a senior Iranian general. Iran launched a barrage missile attack on the al-Asad base, where U.S. troops, in retaliation. The blasts resulted in more than 100 traumatic brain injuries for servicemen.
Recent reports have suggested that Iranian proxies were behind an attempted assassination of Iraq’s Prime Minster Mustafa al-Kadhimi late last year. Officials have confirmed that Iran is believed to be behind the attack on the military outpost in south Syria, where American troops are based. The attack did not result in any deaths or injuries for U.S. personnel.
While the U.S. forces were able to shift to a non-combat role in Iraq last year, Iran and its proxies want all American troops out of the country. McKenzie stated that Iranian leaders believe they can launch attacks against the U.S. while not affecting ongoing negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.
Diplomats working to save the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement appear to be close to an agreement that would allow the U.S. to re-enter the accord and force Iran to comply with its nuclear program limits.
McKenzie was questioned by Congressional critics about the agreement’s impact on Iranian aggression.
McKenzie stated that the U.S. is now better at countering possible strikes by Iranian drones, and has taken other defensive measures to mitigate the threat. This contributed to American casualties being low. He and others also noted that Iranian ballistic missile attacks have become more precise.
He stated that Iran does not want to possess a nuclear weapon and that a negotiated solution is the best way to do so. However, he added that it won’t solve other problems such as Iranian conventional attack in the region. “I don’t believe anyone in the United States government is unaware of that fact. But… if nuclear weapons can be taken off the table, that’s a powerful capability you don’t need to worry about.”
He said that once this is accomplished, the U.S. can move on to other problems such as Iran’s growing threat of drones and ballistic missiles.
“What you want to do is negotiate this, but if that’s possible, that’s where U.S. Central Command steps in. It is our responsibility to show Iran that deterrence can be achieved. That is what we do every day.
