Middle East: Biden says he decided on response to Jordan attack that killed US troops

THE WEEK

President Joe Biden speaks to the media before he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. The President is traveling to Florida on a campaign trip | AP

After three American troops were killed in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he has decided on how to respond to the attack.

He was speaking to the reporters as he left the White House on a campaign trip to Florida. Reportedly, Biden had made the decision after consulations with top advisers at the White House.

Though Biden did not elaborate on the decision, he said the US does not need a wider war in the Middle East.

On Monday, national security council spokesperson John Kirby, in an interview on NBC television, said that the US is not looking for a war with Iran.

“We are not looking for a war with Iran. We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region. Obviously, these attacks keep coming. We’ll keep looking at the options. I can’t speak for the Supreme Leader or what he wants or he doesn’t want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop,” he said.