President Biden Vows Action Against Iranian-backed Militants
A U.S. official has confirmed that an American drone was attacked by an enemy drone “in the vicinity” of each other. The drone attack took place at Tower 22, a post in Jordan near Syria’s border, over the weekend. In response, President Biden has pledged to take action against Iranian-backed militants in the Middle East.
Enemy Drone Launched by Militia Backed by Tehran
According to U.S. officials who spoke with the Journal, the attacking drone was launched from Iraq by a militia supported by Tehran. However, Iran has rejected these claims, dismissing them as “baseless.”
Defense Secretary Condemns Attack and Promises Defense
Upon his return to work at the Pentagon after his battle with prostate cancer, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his outrage and sorrow over the deaths of three U.S. troops in Jordan. He stated, “The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops.” Austin made this declaration while meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Criticism of Administration’s Response
Congressman Mike Waltz, a former U.S. Army special forces commander, criticized the administration’s response to the attack. He argued that Iran has received the message that they can get away with such actions. Waltz expressed concern that any response from the U.S. would be ineffective, stating, “We’re bombing empty warehouses in the middle of the night so that the administration can check the box to look like they’re doing something in response, but they’re still beholden to Iran.”
Waltz also raised questions about the base mistaking the attacking drone for its own, speculating on the failure of defensive measures. He highlighted the larger issue of sustainability, as expensive missiles are being used to shoot down relatively cheap drones. He emphasized the need for strategic adjustments and a better understanding of deterrents, as he believes the current approach invites escalation.
Injuries and Casualties
U.S. Central Command provided an update stating that the number of injured service members has increased to at least 34. Eight personnel required evacuation from Jordan for higher level care, but their condition is stable. The identities of the three service members killed have not been released.