CBS News has received confirmation from U.S. officials that plans have been greenlit for a series of strikes across multiple days, targeting locations, including Iranian personnel and facilities, in Iraq and Syria.

These strikes are a response to recent drone and rocket attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

The decision comes after a drone attack on Sunday at the Tower 22 base near the Syrian border inside Jordan resulted in the death of three U.S. service members.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized at the Pentagon that the U.S. will not tolerate attacks on American troops.

He described the current situation in the Middle East as perilous, citing Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Houthi rebel attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Austin stated that while efforts are made to prevent a broader conflict, the U.S. will take necessary actions to protect its interests and people, responding at its chosen time, place, and manner, CBS News is reporting.

The timing of the strikes will be influenced by weather conditions, with the U.S. preferring better visibility for selected targets to minimize the risk of inadvertently harming civilians.

Since the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah declared a suspension of military operations against U.S. forces on Wednesday, there have been no fresh attacks on American troop locations in the region.

Despite the announced suspension by the group, U.S. officials have not suggested any delay in the American military’s planned retaliatory strikes.

Written by B.C. Begley