Iran criticized the US airstrikes against Shiite militants in Iraq and Syria, calling it an action against ISIS forces and supporting terrorism.

"The attacks show that the US declaration of fighting against the Islamic State (IS) is fake, as they aim to position forces that have inflicted heavy damage on those terrorists over the years. It is an act of supporting terrorism, belittling the independence and sovereignty of other countries, "Iranian government spokesman Abbas Mousavi said today.

Iranian officials also accused the presence of foreign forces as a cause of security instability and tensions in the region. "The US needs to accept the consequences of its illegal actions, as well as end its occupation," the spokesman added.

The announcement came after the Pentagon announced the attack on three positions of pro-Iranian Kataib Hezbollah in response to repeated strikes on bases serving Inherent Resolve in Iraq. The targets include the armory, the command centers on Iraqi and Syrian territories used by Kataib Hezbollah for US coalition attacks. 25 gunmen were killed, at least 51 people were injured in the attack.

Washington previously accused Kataib Hezbollah of launching more than 30 rockets at a base near the city of Kirkuk, Iraq on December 27, killing a US civil contractor. Four American soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers were also injured in the attack.

Kataib Hezbollah is one of Iran's Shiite militia-trained groups, equipped with money and equipment against the US military after the 2003 campaign to overthrow Saddam Hussein. The group fought under the auspices of the Force. Joint mobilization (PMF) was established in 2014 to deal with IS and is accepted by the Iraqi government.