In the wake of the United States launching retaliatory strikes against Iraq and Syria, the White House stresses that the Biden Administration is not interested in going to war.
On Friday, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said that the U.S. is not "looking for a war with Iran," adding that the strikes were designed to "de-escalate" tensions and "put an end" to attacks on U.S. troops.
However, Kirby stressed that the strikes, which began Friday evening, "will not end" any time soon.
The White House official said that the targets were precisely selected to avoid civilian casualties, based on undeniable evidence. Kirby added that they were in connection to previous attacks on U.S. troops in the area and that the Iraqi government was informed before the strikes were launched.
Kirby said "the goal" of the strikes is "to get these attacks" on U.S. service members in the region "to stop."
Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II defended criticism for not launching the strikes on the regions sooner, claiming that U.S. officials were forced to wait "for the weather to cooperate," adding that Friday was "the best opportunity" by the conditions.
"We feel really confident about the precision of those targets," Sims told reporters. "We hit exactly what we meant to hit." He said waiting for the right timing with the weather allowed the U.S. to avoid "any unnecessary casualties."
"The weather did turn today to allow us to conduct these strikes, and as a result, we're very confident in the targets that we struck today," Sims continued.
Kirby pushed back on a reporter's question whether the timing of the strikes had anything to do with the transfer of the remains of three troops killed in the Iran-backed militia attack in Jordan at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
"It had no connection whatsoever with the dignified transfer at Dover," Kirby said, adding that the strikes were meant to "send a signal" to those who "seek to bring Americans harm."
"We do not seek a conflict with Iran," Kirby said. "These targets were chosen to degrade and disrupt capabilities of IRGC and groups they sponsor and support."
Kirby warned that there will be additional strikes and actions taken as attacks on U.S. personnel in the region continue.
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