Iran-linked attacks against US skyrockets 600% since Oct 2023 Hamas attack on Israel: report

Iran-linked actors have been launching a significant number of attacks against the U.S. in recent times, with a staggering 630% increase in malign acts since the Hamas terror attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. This information comes from a report by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) that was exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. These malign acts include projectile strikes, maritime aggression, major cyber intrusions and hacking, kidnappings or wrongful detentions, and terrorist attacks.

The uptick in attacks against the U.S. began after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and continued during President Biden’s term. Following the attack on Israel in October 2023 and subsequent conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran-backed groups have not only targeted Washington’s key ally in the Middle East but also U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, as well as U.S. naval vessels targeted by Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

According to the JINSA report, Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria have launched over 204 attacks involving more than 330 rockets, missiles, and drones against U.S. personnel since October 17, 2023. The report also highlights the increase in attacks by militia groups in Syria on U.S. personnel, doubling the number of incidents compared to the previous month.

With tensions escalating in the region, experts warn of potential future attacks by Iran-backed groups against U.S. forces. The Pentagon confirmed recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi’s in Yemen on U.S. destroyers, as well as strikes by Iran-proxy groups in northeast Syria. While no damage was sustained, the U.S. continues to target weapons storage facilities and militant locations to prevent future attacks.

The report also suggests that Iran may increasingly target Israel by using its proxies in Iraq and Syria, as a means to prevent direct attacks on its own territory. Security experts anticipate heightened conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militias in the region.

In response to the rising threat posed by Iran-linked groups, defense officials have refrained from commenting on the number of threats and strikes due to operational security concerns. However, the report indicates a shift in strategy by Iran-linked groups to target U.S. troops over Israeli positions, with the goal of avoiding forceful responses from Israel.

As Iran continues to escalate its attacks against the U.S. and its allies, it is crucial for the international community to remain vigilant and prepared for further hostilities in the region. Israel, in particular, has been a target of numerous attacks from Iran-backed groups, prompting retaliatory strikes and heightened tensions in the Middle East.