Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Former CENTCOM Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie has warned that US forces stationed across Iraq and Syria are now “vulnerable” to attacks from Iran or its proxies.

Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” he expressed concerns about the security of American troops involved in operations against ISIS and in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in eastern Syria. “Our forces distributed across Iraq and Syria are vulnerable to an Iranian or an Iranian proxy attack. We recognize that. I think that’s why the President’s been very forceful in warning them,” McKenzie stated.

The retired general’s comments followed a recent missile and drone attack launched by Iran against Israel, an action Tehran described as retaliation. Despite the severity of the attack, most of the missiles and drones were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory. The United States, United Kingdom, and Jordan had a role in assisting Israel in taking down the drones and rockets launched from Iran.

McKenzie pointed out that Iran had deliberately avoided targeting US forces during this operation, which he interprets as a sign of Iran’s awareness of the significant retaliation capability of the US military. “The Iranians know that we have the capability, if they choose to fight us, to hurt them very badly,” he added.

In the context of a possible Israeli response, McKenzie advised strategic restraint and a targeted approach. He suggested that any Israeli action should have a clear start and end, ensuring that Iran understands when the conflict has concluded. This, he argued, would also provide Israel with a strategic advantage in diplomacy. McKenzie added, “Israel can name its price right now. And that’s a very heady position to be in.”