Biden says he has decided how to respond to attack on US troops in Jordan
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US President Joe Biden being briefed on the deadly drone attack at a US outpost in Jordan, by director of national intelligence Avril Haines, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and other members of the national security team at the White House.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - United States President Joe Biden said on Jan 30 he has made up his mind on how to respond to a drone attack that killed US service members
Speaking to reporters as he left the White House on a campaign trip to Florida, Mr Biden did not elaborate on his decision, which came after consultations with top advisers at the White House.
But White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters aboard Air Force One as Mr Biden flew to Florida that the US could respond more than once.
“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.
President Biden said the US does not need a wider war in the Middle East, echoing comments from other officials on Jan 30 that the US does not want a war with Iran.
He 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,” he said.
Mr Biden replied “yes” when asked if he had decided how to respond to the attacks.
Asked if Iran was responsible, he said: “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
Mr Biden is under pressure for a strong response with Republicans accusing the Democratic president of letting American forces become sitting ducks.
REUTERS
