From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
US vows to take ‘all necessary actions’ to defend American forces after deadly drone attack
The United States vowed to take “all necessary actions” to defend American forces after a drone attack killed three US troops in Jordan, while Qatar said it hoped US retaliation would not damage regional security or undercut progress toward a new Gaza hostage-release deal.
Sunday’s attack by Iran-backed militants was the first deadly strike against US troops since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October and marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said on Monday the United States did not want a wider war with Iran or in the region, “but we got to do what we have to do.”
Iran has denied any role. Biden has previously ordered retaliatory attacks on Iran-backed groups but has so far stopped short of hitting Iran directly.
“Have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing,” Biden said on Sunday.
Earlier, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani told a Washington think tank he hoped US retaliation would not undercut progress toward a new hostage release deal in talks.
He said potential US retaliation “will definitely have an impact on regional security and we hope things get contained.”
CIA Director William Burns met with the Qatari PM as well as the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and the head of Egyptian intelligence, on Sunday in Paris for talks described as constructive by Israel, Qatar and the US, albeit with significant gaps remaining.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Paris talks raised hope that a Qatar-mediated negotiating process could resume. Before collapsing, the mechanism led to a week-long ceasefire agreement in November when Hamas freed around 100 hostages.
A framework for a possible second deal developed in Paris “is a strong one and a compelling one that … offers hope that we can get back into this process,” Blinken said at a news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
“Hamas will have to make its own decisions,” said Blinken, who declined to reveal details of the proposal.
The Times of Israel Community.