Pentagon to confront Iran’s expansion using indirect means, not open conflict

The U.S. military will not openly confront Iran, but will instead use indirect means to limit its expansion in Syria, a top commander said this week, as Western nations consider stepping up their response to Tehran’s support for armed groups across the Middle East.

Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads U.S. Central Command, said that U.S. support for government troops in Iraq and a Kurdish-dominated partner force in Syria could help ensure that Tehran is unable to freely smuggle supplies and personnel into Syria, where Iranian-backed forces are fighting in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.