Iran and its allies condemned the United States for launching airstrikes on seven facilities – four in Syria and three in Iraq – used by the Revolutionary Guards and affiliated militias. The February 2 attacks were retaliation for the January 28 drone strike that killed three American soldiers at a military outpost in northern Jordan near the borders of Iraq and Syria.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the U.S. move reflected the “continued wrong and failed approach to resolving issues by resorting to force and militarism.” The foreign ministry claimed that the strikes were a violation of Iraqi and Syria sovereignty as well as international law. Tehran’s allies in the so-called Axis of Resistance, including militias across the region and the Syrian government, also blasted Washington. The following are collected comments by major players.
Iran
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on February 3: The attacks were part of the United States’ “continued wrong and failed approach to resolving issues by resorting to force and militarism.”
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani on February 3: “The attacks were a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, international law, and a clear violation of the United Nations Charter… The continuation of such adventures is a threat to regional and international peace and security.”
Iranian Allies
Al Nujaba Movement Spokesperson Hussein al Mosawi on February 3: The United States “must understand that every action elicits a reaction… we do not wish to escalate or widen regional tensions.”
Hamas on February 3: The U.S. strikes were a “dangerous escalation” and “an encroachment on the sovereignty of the two countries.”
Hezbollah on February 3: “Hezbollah strongly condemns the blatant American aggression against Iraq and Syria. What the United States of America has done is a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the two countries, an attack on their security and territorial integrity, and a shameless violation of all international and humanitarian laws.”
Houthi political office on February 3: “We reaffirm our support for and solidarity with resistance movements in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and the region.”
The “barbaric attacks are a violation of the sovereignty of Iraq and Syria and international laws.”
“America's hostile actions will lead the region to a bigger conflict and threaten international security and peace.”
“We reject the narrative of America, which falsely claims that its attacks on the countries of the region are just a reaction, and we consider these attacks to be open aggression.”
Iraqi Government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani on February 3: “This is a new aggression against Iraq’s sovereignty… The presence of the U.S.-led military coalition in the region has become a reason for threatening security and stability in Iraq and a justification for involving Iraq in regional and international conflict.”
Foreign Ministry on February 3: “Iraq reiterates its refusal that its lands be an arena for settling scores or showing force between warring countries.”
Military Spokesperson Yahya Rasool on February 3: “These airstrikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, undermine the efforts of the Iraqi government, and pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences. The outcomes will have severe implications on the security and stability in Iraq and the surrounding region.”
Syrian Government
Foreign Ministry on February 3: “What [the U.S. has] committed has served to fuel conflict in the Middle East in a very dangerous way.”