Pro-Iranian militias test their reach with deadly attack on American forces in Jordan

President Joe Biden blamed groups backed by Tehran for the strike near the Syrian border

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Iran’s mission to the UN has said Tehran was not involved in an attack that killed three US service members in north-eastern Jordan, near the Syrian border, on Sunday.

“Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base,” the mission said in a statement published by state news agency Irna.

“There is a conflict between US forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks.”

US President Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the unmanned aerial drone attack, the first deadly strike against American forces since the Israel-Gaza war erupted after an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7.

The attack is a major escalation of the already tense situation in the Middle East.

Mr Biden, who was travelling in South Carolina, asked for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist church’s banquet hall.

“We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases,” he said. After the moment of silence, Mr Biden added, “and we shall respond”.

In a written statement, Mr Biden that the US would “hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing.”

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said “we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests”.

The US Central Command said at least 34 troops were wounded by the one-way attack drone, with eight flown out of Jordan for follow-up care.

It described the eight as being in stable condition.

The large drone struck a logistics support base in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces.

The US Central Command said about 350 US Army and Air Force personnel were stationed at the base.

The three who were killed and most of the wounded were army soldiers, according to several US officials.