Tehran, Iran: Iran has strongly denied American and British accusations of its involvement in a deadly drone strike on a Jordanian base that killed three US military personnel. The official IRNA news agency reported on Monday that Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani called the accusations “made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region.”
No Claim of Responsibility: While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, US President Joe Biden swiftly blamed “radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.” British Foreign Secretary David Cameron echoed this sentiment, urging Iran to “de-escalate in the region.”
Iran Rejects Accusations: Kanaani countered these statements by claiming they threatened “regional and international peace and stability.” He further asserted that Iran has “consistently and categorically denied any involvement in such actions.”
Significant Casualties: The attack resulted in not only three American deaths but also 34 wounded personnel, eight of whom required medical evacuation. US troops operate at the base near Jordan’s borders with Iraq and Syria as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.
First US Losses Since Israel-Hamas War: This strike marks the first US military fatalities since the recent war between Israel and Hamas. The conflict began on October 7th when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel, leading to an estimated 1,140 deaths, primarily civilians, according to AFP. Israel’s response has been equally devastating, with Hamas reporting at least 26,422 casualties in Gaza, mostly women and children.
Escalating Tensions: The drone attack on the Jordanian base has further heightened tensions between the US and Iran, raising concerns about potential escalation in the region. With each side accusing the other, the path towards de-escalation and a peaceful resolution appears increasingly uncertain.
