Fears of escalation rise as US hits Iran targets in Iraq, Syria

The US military launched airstrikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's attack in Jordan that killed three US troops.

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The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in a multi-tiered response by US President Joe Biden's administration to the attack by Iran-backed militants, and more US military operations were expected in the coming days.

While the strikes did not target sites inside Iran, they signalled a further escalation of conflict in the Middle East from Israel's nearly four-month-old war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.

The strikes hit targets including command and control centers, rockets, missiles and drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities, the US military said in a statement.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said US warplanes struck "more than 85 targets at seven facilities", four in Syria and three in Iraq.

"These targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties," he added.