Despite Biden's warnings and threats, Iran continues to target US Mideast bases.

The White House is facing criticism that President Biden's "Don't" attack warnings to Iran are not being taken seriously after Tehran-backed terror militias injured American military personnel at the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq on Monday and is suspected of another attack in Syria on Friday.

Biden issued a "Don't" when asked by reporters about his message to Tehran on Saturday. Critics argue that his Iran policy is unclear and his warnings to the Islamic republic and its proxies in October and April have not been effective.

After the Monday attack in Iraq, Biden and Vice President Harris met with their national security team to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East. They stated that in addition to addressing the threats from Iran and its proxies, they also discussed the measures they are taking to safeguard their forces and respond to any attack against their personnel in a manner and location of their choosing.

Mike Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, criticized the administration's approach to Iran in an interview with Bill Hemmer on X. He stated, "The administration repeatedly says 'don't' to Iran, but fails to impose costs, which has allowed the risk from Iran to continue growing." Biden echoed this sentiment when he said "don't" in response to a question about his message for Iran, just days before Iran launched its first attack against Israel in April.

On Friday, another attack against a U.S. installation in Syria took place, with U.S. officials informing Planet Chronicle that a drone struck the area, resulting in minor injuries to U.S. and coalition personnel. A damage assessment is still being conducted.

One expert claims that Iran's heightened nationalism in the Middle East is a result of the Biden administration's inability to restore effective deterrence to prevent Tehran from carrying out fresh attacks.

"As long as the US continues to be targeted by Iran-backed militias for their attacks on US basing infrastructure and regional force presence, these attacks will persist. Tehran uses militia rocket, mortar, and drone attacks as a cost-effective way to fight against America."

Given the uneven response ratio, with 172 strikes since Oct. 7 and only about 10 replies, it's unsurprising that the deterrence resulting from Washington's last use of force against these groups in early 2024 has faded.

Deterrence is an ongoing process that cannot be ignored in the Middle East today. The increase in attacks by militias may be linked to Iran's revenge strategy following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader. The recent attacks have localized concerns for the militias in Iraq and Syria and are part of a larger plan to create a cycle of violence that forces America out of the region.

The State Department was contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital regarding the absence of an American military response to the Katyusha rockets that targeted the base.

A State Department spokesperson stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the Iran-aligned militia attack on U.S. forces at Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq was a dangerous escalation and highlighted Iran's destabilizing role in the region. President Biden has made it clear that the U.S. will not hesitate to defend its people and hold accountable all those who harm its personnel.

On Thursday, Sabrina Singh, a deputy spokesperson at the Pentagon, stated that two rockets launched by an Iranian-backed Shia militia group hit Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq. A third rocket was intercepted before it impacted the base. CENTCOM is currently reviewing how these rockets got through to prevent a recurrence.

According to the Pentagon spokesperson, one contractor and four service members were injured during Monday's attack.

During the Obama administration, Joel Rubin, a former State Department official, defended Biden's policies and told Planet Chronicle Digital that the president has made it clear to Iran that there would be significant consequences if it were to take military action against Israel. To create deterrence, the president has sent additional military craft to the region and is working the diplomatic channels to make sure Iran understands this. While the crisis has not yet fully passed, it's clear that Iran is thinking twice about its next moves.

Iran's main proxies in the Middle East are Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi movement. Over the years, the Islamic republic has used its oil and gas profits to spread its revolutionary Islamist ideology to countries in the Mideast and the West, including the U.S. According to U.S. intelligence, Tehran has incited anti-Israel protests on college campuses, threatened to assassinate President Trump, and is meddling in the presidential election.

Since 1984, the U.S. government has consistently labeled Iran as the world's top state-sponsored terrorism supporter. In 1979, radical Islamists seized power in Tehran and declared America as the "great Satan." Iranian Islamists frequently chant "Death to America" at mass events and in the country's parliament.

In February, it was reported by Planet Chronicle Digital that a drone made in Iran, which was fired by a militia supported by Tehran in Iraq, resulted in the death of three American soldiers in Jordan.

Planet Chronicle' Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report.