US strikes at Iran-linked targets amid Hamas war

The United States on Friday issued new sanctions on Hamas and members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, even as it launched what are called "self-defence" airstrikes on locations linked to Iran-backed groups in Syria as the conflict in Gaza snowballed into larger diplomatic rifts.

The developments came hours before Israel said it was expanding ground operations in Gaza, and reports indicated a complete blackout of internet and telephone connections there.

Iran's foreign minister warned that the US won't escape unaffected if the Hamas-Israel war turns into a broader conflict, firing back after the Joe Biden administration said Iran was ultimately to blame for a recent spate of drone attacks on American forces.

Ripples of the conflict also reached Russia, with a senior Iran minister meeting Hamas representatives in Moscow. Iran discussed a ceasefire and providing humanitarian support to Gaza at Thursday's meeting. The visit of the Iranian deputy foreign minister and the Hamas delegation highlights how Russia is trying to assert its role as a power broker in the West Asia conflict even though it continues to be occupied with its war in Ukraine.

Early on Friday, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said US President Joe Biden ordered "precision self-defense strikes" against two facilities in eastern Syria that were used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups. The strikes, he said, were in retaliation for a slew of drone and missile attacks against US bases and personnel in the region that began early last week.

"The United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but these Iranian-backed attacks against US forces are unacceptable and must stop," Austin said. "We continue to urge all state and non-state entities not to take action that would escalate into a broader regional conflict."