US Blames Iran For Troops Killed In Drone Attack, Vows Retaliation

The United States has said it will take “all necessary actions” to protect troops after a drone attack on a base in Jordan killed three American soldiers, with President Joe Biden blaming Iran-backed militants.

American troops were still in their sleeping quarters when the drone struck with little to no warning at the US base in Jordan, the BBC’s US partner CBS reported on yesterday.

The drone arrived at the same time as a returning US drone – and as a result elements of the defence system were turned off, an official said.

In addition to those killed, US officials said at least 34 others were injured. Eight were evacuated for medical treatment outside of the base, and some were in critical but stable condition

Iran denied that it was behind the attack, calling the accusations “baseless” and saying it was “not involved in the decision making of resistance groups.”

An umbrella group for Iran-backed militia calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq yesterday said it was responsible for the attack in response to the US support of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

It is the first time US soldiers have been killed by strikes in the region after Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel sparked the war in Gaza.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries are calling for the US to hold those responsible for the attack “accountable”.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal used similar language, writing on X that “a strong, surgical response is vital against Iran-backed forces”. Iran remains responsible for its proxies and will be held accountable”.