Joe Biden faces growing threat with Iran after three American soldiers die in Jordan

Restoring American deterrence without provoking armed confrontation with Iran: The response to the Sunday, January 28, deaths of three American soldiers in an attack against a base on the border between Jordan and Syria poses a difficult choice for Joe Biden. “We will answer”

American president confirmed, accused “Iran-backed radical militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq”.. As the Republican camp called for direct strikes against Iran, Mr. Biden added: “There is no doubt: we will hold everyone accountable when and how we want. » This is the first time American troops have been killed by pro-Iranian militia fire in the Middle East since these attacks intensified in mid-October 2023, in response to Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip.

The drone strike targeted the T-22 base in northeastern Jordan on the Syrian border on Sunday morning. According to the US Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM), 350 members of the Army and Air Force are stationed there, specifically as part of the fight against the Islamic State group. In addition to killing three soldiers, 34 others were injured in the strike, 8 of whom had to be evacuated to Jordan, Centcom said. Air defense fails to intercept drone launched from Syria

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for drone attacks on three American bases in Syrian territory, specifically citing the Rukban area, where the T-22 logistical support base is located. Since October 17, this cluster of Iraqi militias close to Iran has claimed responsibility for nearly 160 drone, rocket and ballistic missile attacks on American bases in Syria and Iraq. Until then, these shots caused only minor injuries.

Disruption of Iranian weapons

These groups criticize Washington’s support for Israel and demand the withdrawal of American troops from the region. The United States responded with targeted strikes in Iraq and Syria. Jordan, which hosts 3,000 American troops, has been targeted for the first time. A Jordanian security official, quoted by Reuters on condition of anonymity, called on Washington to deliver Patriot air defense batteries.

While neither Iran nor the United States wants an armed confrontation, the two hostile nations have been locked in acrimony since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Tehran’s allies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen have stepped up their attacks against Israel and its American allies to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

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