President Biden is actively considering retaliation options against Iranian-backed militants responsible for a recent drone strike in Jordan that resulted in the death of three U.S. soldiers and injuries to several others. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters that the president has been engaged in discussions with his national security team. Kirby emphasized that the United States is not seeking to enter into a war with Iran, despite the latter’s denial of involvement in the attack. Reports suggest that the enemy drone successfully bypassed U.S. air defenses, as it was mistaken for an American drone returning to base. This incident marks the first instance of U.S. troops being killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war.
President Biden is weighing options to retaliate against Iranian-backed militants behind the drone strike in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers and injured dozens more.
In a separate statement, Kirby clarified that the counter-ISIS mission is unrelated to the conflict in Israel, and the U.S. aims to avoid escalating tension in the region.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed that an Iranian-backed militia orchestrated the drone attack, although it remains unclear if leaders in Tehran directly directed the assault. Despite Iranian officials denying involvement, Singh pointed out that Iran supports and arms militant groups known for targeting U.S. personnel in the Middle East. She stated that the U.S. would retaliate at a time and place of its choosing. The Defense Department did not confirm reports indicating that the enemy drone eluded U.S. air defenses due to mistaken identity.
In a subsequent development, the Pentagon released the identities of the three soldiers killed in the drone strike. The deceased service members were identified as Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. Over 40 additional service members sustained injuries during the attack carried out by the Iranian-backed militant group. Defense Department officials noted that it remains uncertain if leaders in Tehran directly ordered the assault.
