US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters on Thursday that Iran or Iran-backed forces may be planning further attacks and the United States might have to take preemptive action.
He said if the US gets word of, or other indications of attacks, it will take preemptive action to protect American forces and American lives.
The US military carried out air strikes against sites in Iraq and Syria connected to the Teheran-backed Hezbollah militant group late December.
The US says the action was in response to attacks that killed a US civilian and wounded US soldiers in Iraq.
Violent protests against the US embassy in Baghdad ensued on Tuesday and Wednesday, damaging the compound.
Washington announced on Tuesday that around 750 soldiers will be dispatched immediately to the Middle East and that more military personnel may be deployed.
NHK
