Iran’s top security official said the US encouraged ISIS by dropping bombs on paramilitary fighters along the Iraqi border.
“America’s recent actions have strengthened and expanded the activities of the terrorist Daesh (Islamic State) in the region,” Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said during a visit to Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, said.
The airstrikes late Thursday, the first under President Biden, targeted places on the Syrian side of the Iraq-Syrian border, where Iranian-backed groups controlled a major crossroads for weapons, personnel and goods. The government has said it intends to repel future attacks on US troops in Iraq.
“The attack on resistance forces against terrorists is the beginning of a new round of organized terrorism,” Hussein said.
Shamkhani said: “We will confront the US plan to revive terrorism in the region,” but did not elaborate.
Shamkhani also urged Hussein to urge Iran to withdraw the rest of its troops to the country, according to reports.