WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Joe Biden confirmed Tuesday he has made a decision on how to respond to the drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops and injured dozens more.
However, the Pentagon is keeping quiet on exactly what that response will look like.
“We will respond in a time and manner of our choosing,” Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said multiple times during Tuesday’s briefing.
Ryder said the investigation into the attack is still ongoing, but the Pentagon is confident Iran-backed militias are responsible.
“When we need to, we will protect our forces,” he said.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said to expect a “tiered approach.”
Whatever the U.S. response may be, President Biden said, “I don’t think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That’s not what I’m looking for.”
Congress is looking for more answers about the deadly attack. Top intelligence officials briefed a House committee Tuesday and expect further briefings as they learn more.
U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, (R-Fla.), said he wants the U.S. to take a stronger stance.
“We can’t continue to suffer strike after strike after strike and just hit back at their proxies,” Waltz said.
Waltz said the U.S. may need to take direct action against Iran.
“I don’t think anybody wants a wider war,” he said. “But sometimes too passive of an approach invites the bully to actually be more aggressive.”
While Washington waits to see what happens next, the White House said President Biden spoke with the families of the three U.S. troops killed in the attack and plans to go to their dignified transfer Friday.
The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will follow suit.
