According to the U.S. military, it conducted airstrikes Tuesday against areas in eastern Syria that were controlled by Iran-backed militias.
According to Col. Joe Buccino (spokesman for U.S. Central Command), the "precision strikes" were made in the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor region, close to Syria's border.
They "targeted infrastructure facilities used as a result of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps groups."
Buccino stated that "Today's strikes were required to protect and defend U.S. personnel.
"The United States took proportionate and deliberate action to reduce the risk of escalation
The attack was not immediately recognized by Iran or Syria.
The United States, Russia and Iran have all joined the Syrian Civil War.