Biden decided to respond after attack in Jordan and wants to avoid a “broader war”

President Joe Biden He stated on Tuesday that he has already decided what the response will be. USA behind the death of three of his soldiers at a base in Jordan, while stating that “does not search” a “wider war” in the Middle East.

Amid growing pressure over the electoral calendar, the president blamed Iran for providing weapons to those who carried out the attack that killed three and wounded dozens of soldiers on Sunday, the first American casualties in the region since the war broke out. between Israel and Hamas last October.

“Yeah“, answered Biden to journalists who asked him this Tuesday if he had already made his decision on the American response, without giving more details.

“I don’t think we need a broader war in the Middle East. It’s not what I’m looking for” the president said of fears that a direct attack on Iran would spark a broader conflict.

The White House warned that the response will likely involve “multiple actions”.

Following Washington’s warning, the Hezbollah Brigades, an influential pro-Iran armed group in Iraq, announced this Tuesday the “suspension” of its military operations against US troops, although there are no signs that this will inhibit US retaliation.

“We announce the suspension of our military and security operations against the occupying forces to avoid any embarrassment to the Iraqi government”wrote the pro-Iran group on its website.

Although the Hezbollah Brigades did not claim responsibility for the attack in Jordan, the Pentagon assures that it has its “Fingerprints”.

“Actions speak louder than words“Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said of the group’s statement.

“We have called on groups close to Iran to cease their attacks. They have not done it. Therefore we will respond in the time and manner that we choose.Ryder stated.

“Multiple actions”

In the middle of an election year, in which Biden will seek a second term, Republican opponents have been pressuring him to retaliate against Iran for the attack, carried out with drones against a US military base located near the border with Syria.

Some even asked him to “hit” to Iran directly.

But the Democrat’s government believes that a direct attack on Iranian territory could cause an eruption in the region. Actions against armed groups backed by Iran and possibly against Iranian Revolutionary Guard facilities in other countries are emerging as more likely alternatives, according to US media.

“This is most likely a tiered approach, not one single action but potentially multiple actions“White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby explained to reporters aboard the presidential plane Air Force One.

The death of the soldiers occurs at a time when the campaign towards the November presidential elections gains traction.

The president will participate next Friday in the ceremony for the transfer of the bodies of the three soldiers at an air base in Delaware, the White House reported.

Washington is also trying not to affect the talks that seek to reach a new agreement that would allow a ceasefire and the release of the hostages in Gaza.

Iran “responsible”

Asked if he considers Iran responsible for the attack, Biden answered: “Yes, I hold them responsible, in the sense that they are supplying weapons to the people who committed it”.

The attack in Jordan triggered tensions in the region, which was already unstable since the Hamas attack on October 7 and Israel’s devastating response in Gaza.

Russia, a close ally of Tehran, called for calm in the Middle East on Tuesday.

“The general level of tension is very alarming and, on the contrary, now is the time to take action to de-escalate tensions“Dmitri Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told reporters in Moscow.

Tehran has said it had no responsibility for the attack and denied US accusations that it supported groups behind the attack.

China, which maintains strong ties with both Russia and Iran, also warned of the consequences of a “cycle of retaliation” in the Middle East.

“We hope that all relevant parties remain calm and restrain themselves, to avoid falling into a vicious circle of retaliation and further escalation of tensions in the region.“said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, on Tuesday.