Purpose/Mission

Details: "in order to protect and defend the safety of our personnel, to degrade and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners, and to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United States personnel and facilities."

Domestic Legal Authority

Details: "I directed this discrete military action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations."

Claimed International Legal Basis

Details: "The United States took this necessary and proportionate action consistent with international law, and in the exercise of the United States’ inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter."

Estimated Scope/Duration

Scope/duration specified

Details: "on March 23, 2023, United States forces conducted targeted strikes"

Type of Enemy or Mission

Details: "militia groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)"

Military Activity

Details: "United States forces conducted targeted strikes against facilities in eastern Syria in response to this series of attacks and continuing threats of future attacks"

US Casualties Reported

Yes

Details: "On March 23, 2023, a one-way unmanned aerial system attack tragically killed one American contractor supporting the United States military, and wounded six others, including five United States service members."

Non-US Casualties Reported

Unknown

Details: "they were conducted in a manner intended to establish deterrence, limit the risk of escalation, and avoid civilian casualties"