On Texas visit, Biden warns Iran 'to be careful'

The Biden administration is defending the U.S. military airstrikes in Syria as legal and appropriate, saying they took out facilities that housed valuable capabilities used by Iranian-backed militia groups to attack American and allied forces in Iraq.

During a visit to the FEMA COVID-19 vaccination facility at NRG Stadium in Houston, President Joe Biden was asked what message he wanted to send to Iran.

"You can't act with impunity," Biden said, after pulling his face mask down, adding: "Be careful."

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said members of Congress were notified before the Thursday strikes that destroyed nine facilities and heavily damaged two other facilities.

He says the facilities were used by militia groups the U.S. deems responsible for recent attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq.