The United States has reiterated its desire to retaliate to a drone strike in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers, and Iran has again stated its willingness to defend itself against any military actions that may come.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday at U.S. military outpost Tower 22, was allegedly carried out by a group calling itself Islamic Resistance in Iraq. United States officials believe the group is backed by Iran, which denies any connection to the group.
Killed in the attack were Spc. Kennedy Sanders, Sgt. William Jerome Rivers and Spc. Breonna Moffet. All served in the U.S. Army Reserve and based out of Georgia. Tower 22, located in the northeast corner of Jordan, has been essential to the support of U.S. military assets operating in Syria.
What Will The American Response Be?
President Joe Biden has been weighing options for response to the drone attack and has reportedly decided on the next course of action.
However, many believe any response, combined with U.S. attacks in western Yemen in response to Houthi threats to maritime targets and the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza and the West Bank, will threaten to broaden violence in the region.
Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani had this to say regarding any potential retaliation against Iran, according to Associated Press.
"The Islamic Republic would decisively respond to any attack on the country, its interests and nationals under any pretexts," IRNA quoted Iravani as saying. He went on to describe any possible Iranian retaliation as a "strong response," without elaborating.
Iravani also denied Iran and the U.S. had engaged in any dialogue since the attacks, despite reports from Al Jazeera stating that this had occurred.
"Such messages have not been exchanged," Iravani said. "Sometimes, our enemies raise the threat and nowadays we hear some threats in between words by American officials," Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Hossein Salami. "We tell them that you have experienced us and we know each other. We do not leave any threat without an answer."
"We are not after war, but we have no fear of war," he added.
