President Joe Biden declared on Tuesday that he has reached a decision regarding the US response to a drone strike that claimed the lives of three American troops in Jordan over the weekend. Leaving the White House en route to fundraisers in Florida, Biden emphasized his commitment to avoiding a broader conflict in the Middle East. An Iran-backed militia group has taken credit for the attack, which unfolded at a US military base near the Syrian border, resulting in numerous injuries.
While Biden refrained from specifying the exact nature of the US response, the White House assured on Monday that it would be a “very consequential response.” The drone strike marked the first instance of US soldiers being killed by enemy fire in the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war on October 7. Iran, however, has denied any involvement in the attack.
Addressing the situation on Tuesday morning, Biden held Iran accountable, asserting that they are supplying weapons to those responsible for the attack. The President is considering various options, including retaliatory strikes on Iran-affiliated bases and commanders. Another potential course of action involves targeting senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps in Iraq or Syria.
The overnight attack targeted a US military base referred to as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, where approximately 350 US forces are stationed. The base’s primary focus is supporting the coalition against the Islamic State, according to US Central Command. The assailant drone struck while an American drone was returning to the base from a mission. Officials disclosed that the base’s air defense auto-response features were disabled to prevent the accidental downing of the US drone. Unfortunately, this left troops in their sleeping quarters without any warning.
In recent months, multiple US bases in the Middle East have faced attacks orchestrated by militias trained, funded, and equipped by Iran. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for Sunday’s strike, stating that it targeted three US bases in Syria: Shaddadi, Tanf, and Rukban. This group, comprising several Iran-affiliated militias operating in Iraq, has previously claimed responsibility for other attacks against US forces.
The Iraqi government has condemned the strike and called for an end to the cycle of violence in the Middle East. As tensions escalate, the world watches closely to see how President Biden’s chosen course of action will unfold in response to this tragic incident.