Biden Warns Iran US Will Respond if It Attacks Troops in the Middle East

President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued a warning to Iran that the United States will respond if troops stationed in the Middle East are attacked.

“My warning to the Ayatollah was that if they continued to move against those troops, we will respond and he should be prepared,” Biden said during a press conference at the Rose Garden at the White House.

At least 30 U.S. military personnel were injured from drone and rocket attacks on military bases in Iraq and Syria on Oct. 18, according to CNN. Biden was asked Wednesday whether Israel’s war with Hamas has escalated beyond the two countries after the attacks on those troops.

Biden said the U.S. has had troops in the region since 9/11 and the recent attacks on troops “has nothing to do with Israel.”

Biden has issued warnings to Iran after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 not to get involved in the conflict. 

The White House has said Iran has supported Hamas over the years, although they have not found intelligence that shows Iran helped coordinate the Oct. 7 attack.