'War Hawks Must be Celebrating': Trump's Defense Secretary Claims US Ready to Strike Iranian-Backed Militias in Iraq

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Thursday announced that “the game has changed” for how President Donald Trump’s administration deals with Iran, indicating a willingness to use pre-emptive strikes against militias tied to the Persian Gulf state—comments that provoked immediate pushback from progressives and anti-war advocates. 

“We’re back to preemptive wars now!” tweeted Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft vice president Trita Parsi. “Dick Cheney might as well be president.”

“The war hawks must be celebrating,” Parsi added.

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According to Politico, Esper made the comments as a warning against the militant group Kataib Hezbollah, which he accused of attacking the 104-acre U.S. embassy in Iraq on Tuesday.

“There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks,” Esper told Politico. “If we get word of attacks, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives. The game has changed.”

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