Iran refutes allegations of being responsible for drone attack that claimed lives of three American soldiers

Iran has denied any involvement in a drone attack on a US base near Jordan's border with Syria that resulted in the deaths of three US troops. The US has accused "radical Iranian-backed militant groups" for the attack, which also left several others injured. President Biden has promised retaliation, stating that the US "shall respond." This incident marks the first time in the region that US soldiers have been killed since Hamas's attack on Israel in October. While there have been previous attacks on US bases in the area, there were no fatalities until now, according to the US military. The perpetrators behind this attack remain unidentified. President Biden has declared that the US will hold those responsible accountable at a time and in a manner chosen by the US. Iran has denied the US and British accusations of supporting the militant groups responsible for the attack. Mr. Biden expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and condemned the attack. The names of the deceased and injured have not yet been disclosed to the public as officials are in the process of notifying their families. At least 34 military personnel are being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury, with some evacuated for further medical treatment. The drone strike is believed to have targeted the living quarters, potentially explaining the high casualty count. Officials have identified the base as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, near the Syrian border. According to US reports from December, US bases in Iraq and Syria had been attacked 97 times since mid-October. Last month, the US conducted airstrikes against Iran-affiliated groups following a drone attack on a base in northern Iraq that injured three US service members. Earlier in January, a retaliatory US strike in Baghdad killed a militia leader accused of orchestrating attacks on US personnel. America's objective in the region is to prevent the conflict from escalating further, as stated by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen CQ Brown. US and coalition troops are stationed in the Red Sea due to attacks on commercial ships by Iran-backed Houthis. The group claims to support Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is engaged in conflict with Hamas. The US military has clarified that these actions by the Houthis have no connection to the Gaza conflict. Lastly, two Navy Seals are presumed dead after going missing during a January operation off the coast of Somalia. The operation aimed to seize Iranian-made weapons destined for the Houthis in Yemen. Overall, tensions in the region remain high, and the situation continues to evolve.