The US launched new strikes in the Middle East over the weekend.

That's where we'll start the show today.

I'm Hannah Jewel and this is the Seven from the Washington Post.

It's Monday, February 5th.

Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories.

On Friday, the US hit targets in Iraq and Syria

that it says are used by Iranian forces and affiliates.

The strikes killed dozens of fighters and several civilians, according to the Iraqi government

and groups on the ground.

The strikes were in retaliation for an attack on a U.S. base in Jordan

that killed three Americans last week.

The Biden administration has blamed that attack on Iran-linked militants.

The U.S. also launched more strikes against Huthi militants in Yemen

over the weekend. The Huthies have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November,

in protest of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Yesterday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke about the strikes to ABC News.

This was the beginning of our response.

There will be more steps.

Some of those steps will be seen, some may not be seen, but there

will be more action taken to respond to the tragic death of the three brave U.S.

service members. And we cannot rule out that there will be further attacks

from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria

...