Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Madam President:)

As I have reported previously, militia groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have perpetrated a series of attacks against United States personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria and have placed under grave threat the lives of United States personnel and Coalition forces operating alongside United States forces.  These attacks have continued since my prior report and have now expanded to a third country.  A recent attack by Iran-affiliated militia groups killed three service members and injured multiple United States personnel located at the “Tower 22” base housing United States forces in northeastern Jordan.

Previously, in response to these attacks and the threat of future attacks, at my direction, United States forces have conducted targeted strikes against facilities in Iraq and Syria used by the IRGC and affiliated militia groups.  In response to the continuation of attacks against United States forces since my prior report, at my direction, United States forces have conducted discrete strikes against facilities in Syria and Iraq used by the IRGC and affiliated militia groups for headquarters and command and control, weapons storage, training, logistics support, and other purposes.  The strikes have been taken to deter the IRGC and affiliated militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United States personnel and facilities and have been conducted in a manner designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.  I directed the strikes in order to protect and defend our personnel and assets who are in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan conducting military operations pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40).  The strikes are intended to degrade and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners.

I directed this 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 and in accordance with the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (Public Law 107-243).  The United States is taking 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.  If necessary, I will direct additional measures, including against the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated personnel and facilities, as appropriate, to address the series of attacks against United States forces and facilities.

I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148).  I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.

                              Sincerely,


                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.