U.S. Air Force Official Warns of Russian and Chinese ‘Superpowers’ in Middle East, Iran Continued ‘Attacks’ on U.S.

On Thursday, a top U.S. Air Force general in the Middle East warned Iran-backed militias could resume attacks against the United States and its allies in the region.

Such moves could lead to escalation in the Middle East as tensions arise. Lt. Gen Alexus Grynkewich spoke to journalists before stepping into his new role at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, reports the Associated Press.

Grynkewich will take over responsibility for military operations in Iraq, Syria Afghanistan, and across the region. Grynkewich also expressed concerns over Russian and Chinese influence taking hold as superpowers by economic and military force and influence in the Middle East.

He stated recent U.S. intelligence shows that Iran is preparing to send Russia armed and unarmed drones to use in its war on Ukraine “is not a surprise … but it’s concerning.”

Grynkewich served as director of operations at Central Command in Tampa, Florida, and spoke in Qatar about Iran’s rapidly expanding nuclear program. “We’re in this position where we’re not under attack constantly, but we do see planning for attacks ongoing,” Grynkewich said.

“Something will occur that unleashes that planning and that preparation against us” he continued. “Everyone in the region is very concerned.”

The Foreign Desk reports:

Grynkewich said an apparent reversal of the military relationship between Russia and Iran — with Moscow potentially interested in procuring drones from a traditional buyer of its own military equipment — “shows a bit more of a relationship than we’d like them to have, given the context of everything going on in Ukraine.”

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran on a rare trip abroad and won staunch support from Iran for the war that has plunged the Kremlin deeper into confrontation with the West.

As for China, its significant economic inroads in the region have raised concerns about plans “to secure those interests either through arms sales or other means,” Grynkewich said. In China, many Gulf Arab states have found an investor that won’t lecture them about human rights concerns.