House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the Biden administration for what he believed was a slow response to the attack on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three service members.
Mr. Johnson’s remarks on Friday came after President Biden authorized U.S. forces to retaliate against the attack, which killed three service members and injured dozens more, nearly a week after the deadly strike on the base in Jordan.
“The tragic deaths of three U.S. troops in Jordan, perpetrated by Iran-backed militias, demanded a clear and forceful response,” said Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican. “Unfortunately, the administration waited for a week and telegraphed to the world, including to Iran, the nature of our response.”
He continued, “The public handwringing and excessive signaling undercuts our ability to put a decisive end to the barrage of attacks endured over the past few months.”
The U.S. military announced that a barrage of air strikes had been carried out against Iran’s elite Quds Force units and Iran-linked militias in Syria and Jordan. Four of the seven targeted locations were in Syria, while the remaining three were in Iraq.
None of the targeted strikes on Friday were carried out in Iran. The country has denied any involvement in the deadly attack on the U.S. in Jordan.
The first wave in what is likely the beginning of continued retaliatory strikes hit dozens of targets in the region, including command and control headquarters, ammunition storage, intelligence centers, and other sites used by the Quds Force and militias associated with Iran’s military.
The militias are believed to be responsible for the attack on the U.S. base in Jordan, which also injured 40 service members.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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