The US Department of Defense has issued a stern warning against attacks on American military personnel in the Middle East following a rocket attack that wounded several US service members at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq.

During a press conference held in Annapolis on Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the injuries sustained by US troops in the incident that occurred on Monday night. "Several U.S. service members were wounded yesterday in a rocket attack on Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq," Austin stated. "So make no mistake: The United States will not tolerate attacks on our personnel in the region."

The Pentagon chief, who previously led the US Central Command (CENTCOM), emphasized the US's commitment to reinforcing its military presence in the region. "We’ve adjusted our military posture to strengthen our force protection and to reinforce our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel and to remain prepared to respond to any contingency," Austin added.

The attack, which took place at Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province, injured five US military personnel and two contractors, according to a US defense official. All injured individuals are reported to be in stable condition.

In a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Austin attributed the attack to "Iran-aligned militia," describing it as a "dangerous escalation" that highlights Iran's destabilizing influence in the region. A previously-unknown group, calling itself the “Revolutionaries,” claimed responsibility for the attack via Telegram. The group alleges affiliation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a network of militia groups reportedly backed by Iran. The group has carried out numerous attacks on US forces stationed in Iraq and Syria since October.

The strike on Monday marks the third attack on the Iraqi airbase in the past three weeks. However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq did not claim responsibility for this specific incident.

Tensions have been escalating between Washington and Baghdad following the latest chapter in the Israel-Palestine conflict, which began in October. Pro-Iran Iraqi militias have conducted over 165 attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria as a form of protest against US support for Israel.

The security situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with increased hostile rhetoric from Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed groups directed at Israel and the United States.