Messages of mourning and calls for retaliation began pouring out moments after U.S. Central Command revealed Sunday that three U.S. service members were killed Saturday night at an American base in Jordan in a drone attack launched by Iranian-backed militias.
In a statement on Sunday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. knew the Saturday attack "was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," and pledged to "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing."
Some Republicans blasted Biden, tying his handling of the Middle East to the attacks — and demanding revenge be sought against the attackers.
“Biden’s failure to isolate the regime in [Iran], defeat Hamas, & support our strategic partners has emboldened the enemies of freedom,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) posted on X Sunday. “The President’s MidEast policy is a total disaster. And now our men & women are paying the price — with their lives.”
“3 patriots died while 25 more were injured,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) wrote. “Joe Biden has emboldened Iran and shown weakness on the global stage. We have to have a stronger Commander-in-Chief.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said Biden had “emboldened Iran for years by tolerating attacks on our troops, bribing the ayatollahs with billions of dollars, and appeasing them to no end,” leaving troops as essentially “sitting ducks” in the region.
Several members of Congress also called on the president to take immediate retaliatory action, both to punish Iran and ward off future attacks.
“The Biden Administration can take out all the Iranian proxies they like, but it will not deter Iranian aggression. I am calling on the Biden Administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) initially didn’t mince words: “Target Tehran,” he posted, before later clarifying that it was not a call to bomb Iranian civilians.
Saturday’s attacks, which also left 25 injured, marked the first time American troops have been killed in months of attacks on U.S. forces across the Middle East. Since October, there have been over 158 attacks on U.S. and allied forces in Iraq and Syria, though so far they have caused only minor injuries and damage to infrastructure.
Last week, the U.S. carried out attacks on Iran-backed targets in Iraq, targeting three facilities used by the Kataib Hezbollah militia group, in response to an earlier attack by the group that injured U.S. and Iraqi forces.
Vice President Kamala Harris said Sunday that she and her husband Doug Emhoff were mourning the lives lost in the attack, and she similarly promised to “hold those responsible to account.”
Our prayers are with their loved ones and those injured. … Our entire nation will forever honor these warriors, their service, and their ultimate sacrifice,” she posted on X. “As @POTUS has made clear, we will continue to fight terrorism, and we will hold all those responsible to account.”
Others also offered their condolences to the families of those who were killed.
“I’m horrified by the deaths of 3 brave American servicemembers who were killed by a drone attack in Jordan. I’m also praying for the safety of the dozens who were injured,” Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) wrote. “My heart is with the families of those killed and injured.”
“My heart is shattered after news that three U.S. servicemembers were killed and dozens wounded from an attack launched by proxies of Iran’s regime,” Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-N.V.) posted. “We will never forget their bravery, valor, and service to our nation. Iran must be held accountable.”
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