WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden ordered a military strike in response to the deadly Iran-backed attack on U.S. forces at Tower 22 in northeast Jordan. The strike targeted command-and-control centers, rockets, missiles, and drone storage sites, according to U.S. Central Command. The decision to launch the strikes was made following the dignified transfer of the three U.S. soldiers who were killed in the attack.
The U.S. used more than 125 precision munitions in the strike, including long-range B-1B Lancer bombers. Despite these actions, a senior administration official stated that there are no current plans to strike inside Iran. President Biden emphasized that the United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, but stands firm in responding to any harm inflicted on Americans.
The Quds Force, a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attached to the Iranian military, is believed to be responsible for the Iran-backed attack. The Quds Force, which reports directly to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, has a history of training and equipping Islamic revolutionary groups throughout the Middle East. Former President Donald Trump designated the Quds Force as a terrorist organization in 2019. Additionally, the force trained Iraqi militias in the use of roadside bombs during the Iraq War, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of American troops.
Trump ordered the assassination of Quds Force leader, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in a January 2020 drone strike, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. President Biden’s decision to launch the retaliatory strikes comes amid concerns of becoming further embroiled in an escalating regional conflict that may draw in Iran.
In response to the deadly Jordan attack, militant group Kataib Hezbollah, previously blamed for multiple attacks on U.S. forces, issued a statement saying it would suspend its operations against U.S. forces. However, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized that actions speak louder than words. The administration’s response is expected to be “tiered,” according to John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council.
Biden’s decision to strike back against the Iran-backed attack reflects the delicate balancing act of demonstrating strength without escalating the conflict with Iran. As tensions continue to simmer in the Middle East, the administration remains committed to protecting U.S. forces and interests in the region.