President Joe Biden hinted on Tuesday that he has made a decision regarding the response to the recent drone attack in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three American service members.
The attack has been attributed to Iran-backed militia groups by his administration. Biden expressed his desire to avoid escalating the conflict in the Middle East, but refrained from providing further details.
Biden Urges No 'Wider War' in Middle East
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 27: US President Joe Biden speaks to a crowd during the South Carolina Democratic Party First in the Nation Celebration and dinner at the state fairgrounds on January 27, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina holds its Democratic party primary on February 3.
US officials are currently working to identify the specific Iran-backed group responsible for the recent attack on American troops. This attack marks the first instance of American casualties in a series of assaults against US forces in the region, following the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7th.
Biden intends to be present at the dignified transfer to commemorate the return of the fallen troops to American soil on Friday. He confirmed his decision when questioned by members of the press, expressing his goal of avoiding any further escalation.
According to a US official, the Pentagon is currently evaluating various options in order to address the recent attack in Jordan. During a press briefing on Air Force One, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to provide advance details on the US response, but hinted that it would be implemented in stages.
In a recent statement, the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah declared the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces. The group aims to prevent any potential embarrassment to the Iraqi government.
The recent series of attacks on US forces by Iraqi militias has put the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in a difficult position. Sudani came to power with the support of Iranian-allied factions, but has also made efforts to maintain a positive relationship with Washington.
Sudani has strongly denounced the attacks on US troops in Iraq as part of an international effort to combat the Islamic State. Iraqi and US officials initiated discussions on Saturday with the goal of gradually reducing the commission's presence, AP News reported.
US-Middle East Relationship
Iran has long been a prominent adversary of the United States in the Middle East. The hardline Islamic leadership in Tehran seized American hostages in 1979 and provided militants in Iraq with advanced roadside bombs during the mid-2000s, resulting in the deaths and injuries of numerous US troops.
In January 2020, Former President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike that resulted in the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's Quds Force, which is a part of the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran responded by launching a ballistic missile strike on al-Asad air base in western Iraq, resulting in over 100 US troops sustaining traumatic brain injuries.
The tensions reached a critical point on Sunday as the Biden administration stated its belief that the IRGC provided weapons and training to the militias responsible for the attack on Tower 22, resulting in the tragic loss of three soldiers and the injury of over 40 others.
The deadly attack occurred amidst a series of incidents involving US troops in recent months. From October onwards, there has been a significant increase in the number of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and on bases housing US troops in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, carried out by militant groups across the region.
The militants argue that their missile, rocket, and drone strikes are a direct response to Israel's invasion of Gaza, which occurred after Hamas launched an attack on October 7, as per USA Today.
Related Article: Secretary of Defense Assures 'Necessary Actions' after U.S. Troop's Deaths
