President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the United States has determined its course of action in response to the drone strike in Jordan that resulted in the death of three American soldiers.
While the President did not divulge specific details regarding the nature or timing of the planned actions, expectations are that a response will be forthcoming, possibly unfolding in multiple phases over the next few days.
Speaking briefly to reporters outside the White House, Biden emphasized that his intent is not to provoke a war with Iran despite attributing some level of responsibility to the nation for the attack.
He clarified, “I do hold them responsible because they’re supplying the weapons to the people who did it. I don’t think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That’s not what I’m looking for.”
President Biden Talks about the Jordan attack (Credits: Reuters)
These remarks marked Biden’s first public comments since news broke about the drone strike conducted by Iranian proxies on a U.S. base in Jordan over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to numerous others.
In his initial response on Sunday, the President had asserted that the U.S. “shall respond” and subsequently spent much of Monday conferring with his national security team to assess potential courses of action.
On Tuesday, reports surfaced indicating that Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Iraq, was suspending its operations against the U.S. Maj described the group’s decision. Gen. Pat Ryder noted that “actions speak louder than words” and suggested that there would be consequences.
Although the U.S. has not officially attributed the attack to a specific group, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh hinted on Monday that the drone strike bore the “footprints” of Kataib Hezbollah.
President Biden, in the morning hours on Tuesday, communicated with the families of the three deceased soldiers, offering condolences and support. He is scheduled to attend their dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on Friday, following approval from all three families.
The White House has maintained a stance of not disclosing the specific response options presented to Biden, asserting its commitment to a forceful response on its timetable. Among the potential considerations, officials have suggested the prospect of targeting Iranian personnel in Syria or Iraq, as well as Iranian naval assets in the Persian Gulf.
While emphasizing the obligation to retaliate, White House officials have underscored a reluctance to escalate an already tense situation in the region. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby affirmed on Monday, “We do not seek another war. We do not seek to escalate. But we will absolutely do what is required.”
