US defence chief Lloyd Austin vows ‘all necessary actions’ after US troop deaths
- Austin returned to work at the Pentagon on Monday after nearly a month’s absence because of complications from prostate cancer
- Austin on Monday met Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg a day after Iran-backed militants killed three US troops and wounded dozens more
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed on Monday that the United States would take “all necessary actions” to defend its troops after a drone attack by Iran-backed militants that killed three US troops and wounded dozens more.
Austin returned to work at the Pentagon on Monday after nearly a month’s absence because of prostate cancer and was meeting Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The attack on Sunday was the first deadly strike against US forces since the Israel-Gaza war erupted in October, and marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.
“Let me start with my outrage and sorrow [for] the deaths of three brave US troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded,” Austin said at the Pentagon.
“The president and I will not tolerate attacks on US forces and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops,” Austin added at the start of meeting with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The United States is trying to determine exactly why the nearly 350 troops at the base in Jordan, known as Tower 22, were unable to stop the drone.