On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced that he has made a decision on how to address the drone attack that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers and injured numerous others at a base in northeast Jordan. As he left the White House, Biden confirmed to a reporter that he had made a decision regarding the attack by Iran-backed militants on Sunday. Biden asserted that he holds Iran responsible for the attack, stating that they are supplying weapons to those who perpetrated it, and pledged to retaliate and hold those responsible accountable. The deadly attack, which injured over 30 soldiers, marked the first U.S. casualties by Iranian-backed militant groups in months, since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7. The explosives-laden drone detonated near a shelter where some troops were sleeping at a logistics support base in northeast Jordan, according to two U.S. officials. Eight of the injured soldiers were evacuated from the country for advanced care and are in stable condition, as confirmed by the U.S. Central Command on Sunday.In a statement on Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Al-Shaddadi base in Syria, the Al-Rukban and Al-Tanf bases at the Syria-Jordan border, and the Zevulun naval facility in Israel. However, it is not clear if the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is responsible for the attack on U.S. troops in Jordan. President Biden spoke with the families of the service members who lost their lives in the attack and will attend the dignified transfer of their bodies in Dover on Friday, as per National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. During the call with the families, Biden expressed gratitude for their service, assured them that their loved ones’ sacrifice would be honored and respected, and that they would continue to receive support as they navigate this difficult time. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that the U.S. response to the attack may be multifaceted and sustained over time. He stressed that the response will be strong and take place at a time and location determined by the U.S. The Biden administration carried out airstrikes earlier this month on Houthi rebels in Yemen and other Iran-affiliated militia groups in Iraq and Syria. Both Democrats and Republicans have urged the president to seek congressional approval for the use of military force before taking further action.
