On Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged that the United States would take “all necessary actions” to protect its troops following a deadly drone attack in Jordan. The incident resulted in the death of three US soldiers and injuries to over 40 troops. Despite the escalating tensions, President Joe Biden’s administration emphasized its reluctance to seek war with Iran.
During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon, Austin expressed outrage and sorrow over the loss of the US soldiers, affirming that the President would not tolerate attacks on US forces. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that the response to the attack could be multi-leveled, staged, and sustained over time.
Despite the strong stance, officials in the Biden administration clarified that they did not desire an escalation of the situation and suggested that Iran might also want to avoid a war. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the US is not seeking a war, and the Pentagon does not perceive Iran as desiring one either. White House national security spokesman John Kirby echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the goal is not to seek a military conflict with the Iranian regime.
The US is currently investigating why the troops at the Jordanian base, known as Tower 22, were unable to prevent the drone attack. President Biden convened with Secretary Austin and other national security team members to discuss the developments.
The potential US response options include targeting Iranian forces, either inside or outside Iran, or adopting a more cautious retaliatory approach specifically against the Iran-backed militants responsible for the attack. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted Iran’s role in destabilizing the region, including supporting terrorists attacking ships in the Red Sea.
The recent attack and the possible US response have raised concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East. The situation follows the outbreak of war in Gaza after a Hamas raid on Israel in October, leading to significant casualties on both sides. The United States has previously retaliated in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in response to attacks by Iran-backed groups.
While there are indications that the Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned armed group, may be linked to the weekend attacks, the Pentagon has not yet made a final assessment. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed concern about tensions in the Middle East and urged Iran to de-escalate.
Iran’s minister of intelligence stated that regional armed groups aligned with Tehran respond to “American aggressors” at their discretion. Experts caution that strikes against Iranian forces in Iran could prompt a forceful response, potentially escalating the situation into a major conflict involving the United States in the Middle East.
