US president says strike meant to tell Tehran, 'You can't act with impunity'; several leading Democratic lawmakers denounce attack, Republicans more supportive

Officials tell Walla News they see attacks on Iran-backed militia base as a positive signal about new administration's posture toward Tehran, say US gave Israel advance notice

Raid, which follows repeated attacks on American targets in Iraq, was reportedly approved by Biden

With the changing of the US administration, the IDF sees Tehran as less likely to retaliate, and is making hay of the opportunity by expanding and intensifying its air campaign

No comment from IDF; Area bombed has been repeatedly hit before and is a main route used by Iran to smuggle weapons to terror groups like Hezbollah

State media reports attack struck targets south and west of capital, which have been reportedly bombed by Israel in the past

FM Zarif warns Trump to avoid Jerusalem's 'trap,' says it will 'backfire badly' on Israeli 'BFFs,' amid heightened regional tensions between Tehran and US and Israeli allies

IDF holds discussions about possibility of missile and drone attacks from Houthis and Iraqi groups, report says

Iraqi officials says diplomatic mission's C-RAM defense system downed the rockets midair; incident comes ahead of anniversary of targeted killing in Baghdad of Iran's Soleimani

Iraqi officials say 'minor drawdown' carried out to minimize risk to staff, after repeated assaults by pro-Iran groups