Article snippet: Retaliatory U.S. airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq and Syria have injected a volatile new element into the already tense relations between Washington and Tehran. The strikes were in response to a Friday rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that wounded several U.S. troops and killed an American contractor — the first U.S. casualties after months of such shellings in Iraq. On Monday, Iran warned of “consequences” for the U.S. strikes — the targeted militia group said 25 people were killed — but Iran hawks in Congress cheered the Pentagon's actions. Sen. MORE (R-Ark.), who on Saturday called for “swift and severe consequences” against Iran, called Sunday’s strikes by the U.S. a “justified response.” “Tehran must stop attacking Americans or else face even graver consequences,” Cotton tweeted. Sen. MORE (R-S.C.) tweeted that he was “very glad” to see the U.S. response, adding that “the only language Iran understands is force.” But others warned the situation could quickly spiral out of control. “For months I have been deeply concerned about the seemingly increased risk of military escalation and tension in the region,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman MORE (D-Wash.) said in a statement Sunday night condemning the Iraqi militia’s rocket attack. “Now, more than ever, I cannot overstate the importance of increased diplomatic engagement with Iran to deter future aggression and slow the cycle of escalating violence that further destabilizes th... Link to the full article to read more