Fears of US-Iran conflict intensify after troops killed in drone attack

Biden blames militia backed by Tehran and vows to seek revenge

- Patrick Wintour

The spectre of a direct US-Iranian military conflict drew closer yesterday when Joe Biden announced that three US servicemen had been killed and more than 34 injured in a drone attack on a US service base on the border between Jordan and Syria.

The US president blamed Iranian-backed militia, mainly based in Iraq, for the “despicable” attack and vowed revenge.

Responsibility for Saturday’s attack on Tower 22, a military outpost near the intersection between Jordan, Syrian and Iraq, was claimed by the Iranian-backed umbrella group Islamic Resistance. The US made no attempt to disguise its belief that Iran was ultimately responsible.

Four separate drone strikes were fired at three US bases . The US is investigating why the T-22 base’s defence mechanism did not repel the drone. Many of the American servicemen wounded have suffered traumatic brain injury but the extent of the damage has not been disclosed.

An official said the drone struck near the barracks in the morning, which would explain the high number of casualties.

US forces have faced a near-daily barrage of drone and missile strikes in Iraq and Syria since the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas, but this incident draws the US much closer to a direct conflict with Iran – an outcome both sides insist they wish to avoid but may now be unable to prevent as the incidents proliferate and escalate in impact.