The Pentagon Says It Will Take Action After Its Army Dies In Jordan, But Says It Doesn't Want War With Iran

Pentagon. (Wikimedia Commons/mariordo59)

JAKARTA - The United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) has confirmed it will take the necessary action after a drone strike that killed three of its troops in Jordan, but on the other hand underscores the reluctance to fight with Iran.

American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday vowed that America would take "all necessary measures" to defend its forces, following a deadly drone strike in Jordan that was said to have been carried out by Iran-backed militants.

In addition to killing three soldiers, the first deadly attack on US troops since the Hamas-Israeli conflict broke out on Sunday, injuring more than 40 other soldiers, raising tensions in the Middle East.

"Let me start with my anger and sadness (over) the deaths of three brave American soldiers in Jordan and other wounded soldiers," US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Pentagon.

"The president and I will not tolerate attacks on US troops and we will take all necessary measures to defend the US and our troops," he added, at the start of a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon.

On the other hand, officials in President Joe Biden's Administration said they did not want this situation to escalate, with the Pentagon declaring Iran also not wanting war.

But officials in the Biden administration said they did not want this situation to escalate. The Pentagon says Iran also doesn't want war.

"We clearly don't want war and frankly we don't see Iran going to war with the United States," Pentagon spokesman Sabrina Singh told reporters, adding the Pentagon believed Iran also didn't want war.

"We are not seeking conflict with the regime in a military way," said White House national security spokesman John Kirby, adding President Biden was trying to find a response option.

Separately, the United States itself is trying to find out exactly why nearly 350 soldiers at a base in Jordan, known as Tower 22, were unable to stop the drone.

Two officials said a US drone approached the base at almost the same time as the drone's arrival. One official said the strike drone also flew low, factors that might have caused the drone to escape the base's defenses.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden in his statement said the attack was carried out by radical militant groups operating in Iran-backed Syria and Iraq.

"While we are still gathering facts about this attack, we know that the attack was carried out by Iran-backed radical militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," President Biden said.

Promising Uncle Sam's country "will hold all parties responsible for the time and the way we voted for". President Biden called his soldiers who died "patriots", praised their courage and expressed his sadness, saying it was "a despicable and completely unfair attack."

"Together, we will maintain the sacred obligations that we hold against their families. We will try to be worthy of their honor and courage. We will continue their commitment to fighting terrorism," he stressed.

US troops have been attacked more than 160 times in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan since October 7.

Experts have warned that any attack on Iranian forces on Iran's territory is welcome