Exclusive; Former US Defense Secretary: Any action in response to the drone attack in Jordan must target the Islamic Republic

Leon Panetta, former head of the Central Intelligence Agency and former US Secretary of Defense, told a Voice of America reporter on the sidelines of a US congressional committee meeting that the Islamic Republic is responsible for supporting proxy forces and emphasized that any action the US government considers "must be directed at Iran because they participated in this matter." This meeting, held to examine the relationship between China, Russia, and the Islamic Republic, also featured Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and former CIA director. Mr. Pompeo stated that when the US eliminated Qassem Soleimani, it temporarily restored deterrence. He added that you cannot negotiate with the Ayatollah (referring to the Islamic Republic) and give them money because the money goes to terrorism. Earlier, President Joe Biden stated regarding the response to the deadly attacks on Sunday that he has made his decision but does not intend to escalate the conflict in the region. Mr. Biden also emphasized that since the Islamic Republic provides weapons to groups that carry out attacks against US interests in the region, he holds Tehran responsible for the deaths of these three soldiers. John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, also stated on Tuesday that although efforts to find those responsible for the attack that killed three American soldiers at a base in Jordan are ongoing, this attack clearly bears the characteristics of groups supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kata'ib Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, committed that the United States would take "all necessary actions" to defend its forces in response to this drone attack. Mr. Austin stated that he and Biden will not tolerate attacks on American forces and will take all necessary actions to defend the United States and its forces.