White House: Attack on US Base in Jordan Bears Characteristics of IRGC-Supported Groups in Iraq

A senior White House official announced that the deadly attack on a US base in Jordan on Sunday bears the characteristics of groups supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iraq. John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, stated on Tuesday, February 10, that "although efforts to identify those responsible for the attack that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers at a base in Jordan are still ongoing, this attack clearly exhibits the characteristics of groups supported by the IRGC and Kata'ib Hezbollah." Kirby, speaking to reporters aboard the presidential plane en route to a campaign event in southern Florida, added, "While we cannot yet share details about the drone that led to the deaths of our three soldiers, we know that the IRGC provides these groups with military equipment, including drones." The National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator emphasized that "it is the United States that determines the timing and nature of retaliatory strikes," continuing, "We intend to significantly reduce their capacity for potential future attacks in our response, while simultaneously sending a clear message to their supporters in the IRGC, and we will implement a multi-layered approach that includes multiple actions." Kirby did not provide further details about upcoming actions. According to Kirby, "Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has spoken with the families of the fallen soldiers and is expected to attend their memorial service." Kirby's remarks came shortly after President Biden told reporters before leaving the White House that he had made a decision regarding the type of response to the deadly attacks on Sunday but did not intend to escalate the conflict in the region. Biden 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 the three soldiers. The Commander of the US Armed Forces did not elaborate on the type of response he intends to take. Kirby also stated in a press conference the previous day that the US does not intend to target inside Iran, as it has not gone to war with Iran and does not intend to escalate the conflict beyond what is currently witnessed between Israel and Hamas, one of Tehran's militant groups. Kirby also mentioned that the White House is considering various options for an "appropriate" response and is not seeking war with Iran.