A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director called the strike on the American base a "dangerous escalation" of tensions that have already overwhelmed the region since the beginning of the current war between Israel and Gaza last October. (Related: World War 3 could be imminent as Israel-Hamas war escalates, experts warn.)
Analysts said President Joe Biden must be "willful in his retaliation" and find a balance between pleasing those at home who want to witness a display of power and preventing a broader conflict.
If the White House is not strong enough in its reply, experts said Iran's proxies will stay fearless and continue to conduct attacks; too strong, and Biden risks immersing the Middle East into an intense conflict.
One expert warned that further escalation "would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war," while another said they anticipate a "serious escalation around the corner."
By doing so, Biden also brings with it the risk of playing into the "optimal scenario" for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine would benefit significantly from a larger conflict.
At the same time, one British member of parliament warned that the escalation in the unstable region also affects the United Kingdom, stating that it could become a "necessity" for Britain to intervene.
"It's important that the British people understand this: This is one example of many of the new era of insecurity that we've entered and that we need to prepare for," said former Defense Select Committee chairman and soldier Tobias Ellwood.
Trump warns America is on the brink of World War III
Such worries come amid fears that the wars in Europe and the Middle East could turn into something even wider, with former President Donald Trump warning on Sunday, Jan. 28, that "We are on the brink of World War Three."
"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. Have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," Biden said in a statement after the strike.
No less than 34 personnel were also injured in the Sunday attack in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, based on a statement from United States Central Command.
The base was not named, but a person familiar with the attack identified it as Tower 22 – a base that holds a strategically critical location in Jordan, at the most northeastern point where the country's borders meet Syria and Iraq.
Iran's mission to the United Nations said on Monday, Jan. 29, that Tehran was not involved in the attack.
The Department of Defense reported that American and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since the Hamas' terror attack on Oct. 7 in Israel. Washington has already conducted retaliatory strikes in both Iraq and Syria.
Former CIA Director John Brennan described the fatal attack as a "dangerous escalation" in the Middle East during the Israel-Hamas war.
"Given that there were three American military personnel killed, and over two dozen injured – it's a sizeable attack," Brennan said during an interview on MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki" program.
"Whether it was one or more drones, these are drones that are packed with explosives and then detonate upon impact. But to have that type of number of casualties suggested it was a fairly sizeable one," Brennan added.
The former CIA chief also expected there would be "consequences" to the attack.
"As the White House has pointed out, Iran has cultivated relationships with a number of the militia and extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and other areas as a way to put pressure on regional adversaries as well as on the United States," Brennan said. "So, the big question, I think, for the White House is whether or not this is an Iranian supported group, or whether we want the indirect attack, but either way, I think [there are] going to be consequences."
Meanwhile, the Pentagon on Monday issued the identities of the three American service members killed on Sunday by a drone strike in northeastern Jordan. The three were identified as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia.
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Watch the video below about the three U.S. troops killed in a drone attack in Jordan.
This video is from the The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
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