Jordan drone strike: Joe Biden says he’s decided on response to deadly attack on US troops
“It’s fair for you to expect that we will respond in an appropriate fashion and it is very possible that what you’ll see is a tiered approach here, not just a single action, but essentially multiple actions,” he said.
Biden said the United States does not need a wider war in the Middle East, echoing comments from other officials on Tuesday that the United States does not want a war with Iran.
Biden has been weighing his options and the expectation has been that there will be retaliatory strikes, but the timing of the response has been unclear.
“I don’t think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That’s not what I’m looking for,” said Biden.
Biden replied “yes” when asked if he had decided how to respond to the attacks.
Biden vows response after drone attack kills 3 US troops in Jordan
Asked if Iran was responsible, Biden added: “I do hold … them responsible in the sense that they’re supplying the weapons” to those who carried out the attacks.
Three US service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on US troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, officials said on Sunday.
Biden is under pressure for a strong response with Republicans accusing the Democratic president of letting American forces become sitting ducks.