Joe Biden Under Increasing Pressure to Strike Iran

President Joe Biden is facing increasing demands to strike Iran after three American soldiers were killed and at least 34 more were injured by Iran-backed militants on Sunday.

Biden has been reluctant to hit the country amid fears it could spark a direct war, perhaps even a major conflict involving other Middle East nations, but patience has worn thin among some politicians after the deadly attack claimed American lives.

American troops across the Middle East have been attacked more than 150 times by Iran-backed forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October, according to news agency Reuters. U.S. forces have been targeted in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and off the coast of Yemen, but none had proved deadly. That changed on Sunday, following a drone strike attack in Jordan at a remote outpost known as Tower 22 near the Syrian border.

Jordan, a U.S. ally, condemned the "terrorist attack" within its borders and said it was working with Washington to "fight terrorism."

While speaking during a visit to South Carolina on Sunday, Biden said the U.S. "shall respond" to the attack, but would not be drawn on further details.

In a statement released by the White House, he said: "While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq."

He went on to say he is grieving for "the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack."

He added: "We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt—we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing."

But his vague words sparked anger from politicians at the weekend, with several blaming him for the volatile situation in the first place.

Even one member of the president's own party publicly expressed concern about his Middle East strategy, Reuters reported, as she called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Democratic Representative Barbara Lee said: "As we see now, it is spiraling out of control. It's beginning to emerge as a regional war, and unfortunately the United States and our troops are in harm's way."

But most of the ire holding Biden responsible for the deadly attack against American troops on Sunday came from the Republican Party.

Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking another shot at the White House this year, described the attack as a "consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender."

Florida Republican, Congressman Brian Mast, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Biden had "neglected to stop 150+ attacks launched on the American troops since October 7" and, referring to Sunday's attack, claimed: "Joe Biden and his weakness put Americans in DANGER."

As the dust settles, Republican anger now appears to have shifted from blaming Biden to demanding he take military action.

"He left our troops as sitting ducks," said Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East."

Republican Representative Mike Rogers, who leads the U.S. military oversight committee in the House of Representatives, also called for action against Tehran.

"It's long past time for President Biden to finally hold the terrorist Iranian regime and their extremist proxies accountable for the attacks they've carried out," he said.

Republican Senator Pete Ricketts posted on X: "The time for tit-for-tat responses with proxies has long passed. President Biden must strike Iranian military assets to restore deterrence or risk more American lives to be slain by Iran and its proxies."

But some warned of the dangers of inciting a broader war across the Middle East.

Democratic Representative Seth Moulton, who served four tours in Iraq as a Marine, took to X to post: "While we mourn the loss and honor the sacrifice of the brave soldiers who stand on the front, this is a time for smart, strategic power, not political bluster. We have enemies across the world who want to see America bogged down in another war in the Middle East[...]

"To the chicken hawks calling for war with Iran, you're playing into the enemy's hands—and I'd like to see you send your sons and daughters to fight. We must have an effective, strategic response on our terms and our timeline. Deterrence is hard; war is worse."

And a U.S. defense official, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, suggested there were few benefits from a direct attack on Iran.

"Unless the U.S. prepared for an all-out war, what does attacking Iran get us?" the official said.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House seeking clarification on Biden's planned response to the attack on American troops, and requesting comment on the Republican calls for military strikes against Iran.