US approves plans for attacks in Syria and Iraq following drone attack

The United States has approved plans for a series of strikes in Syria and Iraq in response to the drone attack on a US military base in Jordan. Strikes will target Iranian personnel and facilities in the countries. The US has blamed the attack on an Iranian-backed militia group. Officials say strikes will take place over multiple days, and weather conditions will likely determine when they are launched. President Joe Biden and other officials maintain they are not seeking a wider war in the Middle East. “We will continue to work to avoid a wider conflict in the region, but we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our interest and our people,” US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.