Biden Decides On U.S. Response to Jordan Attack

On the 30th (local time), President Joe Biden of the United States announced that he had decided how to respond to the drone attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan by pro-Iranian armed forces which resulted in the death of three U.S. soldiers and injuring dozens more.

When asked by reporters if he had decided how to respond to the attack on the U.S. military, President Biden said “Yes,” but did not give a specific answer.

This is the first time that U.S. troops have been killed in the Middle East region since the war between Israel and Hamas. The attacked U.S. military base ‘Tower 22’ is located at a strategic point in the Middle East where the borders of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan meet, and about 350 soldiers are stationed. CNN reported that more than 40 soldiers were injured in the drone attack, including three who died.

President Biden expressed his intention to retaliate immediately the day after the attack, and it has been reported that he has been discussing with his staff at what level he will respond.

Regarding this, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) analyzed that the United States has three options: △ airstrikes on Iranian territory or coasts, △ large-scale attacks on Iranian proxies, and △ strengthening sanctions and financial pressure on Iran.

Although President Biden did not mention a specific plan today, the attack on Iranian proxies will likely be carried out in a phased and extensive manner.

John Kirby, the National Security Council’s (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator, said in a briefing today, “We are likely to act in stages. There is a possibility of taking multiple actions over time, not just one.” He emphasized that the U.S. would weaken the military attack capabilities of pro-Iranian armed groups and send a signal to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which supports the armed groups, that it would not tolerate such attacks.

U.S. officials also told CNN that the U.S. retaliation is likely to be stronger than the recent airstrikes on pro-Iranian armed forces in Iraq and Syria, but it is less likely to be attacked directly by Iran. President Biden spoke with the families of the deceased soldiers today and plans to attend a repatriation ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on the 2nd of next month.