Biden under pressure to confront Iran

UAE CONDEMNS TERRORIST STRIKE ON US BASE NEAR JORDAN-SYRIA BORDER

US President Joe Biden faced mounting political pressure yesterday to retaliate against Iran for a deadly drone strike on US troops, posing a major challenge for the Democrat in an election year.

Striking Iran would dramatically escalate the risk of the wider war Biden says he’s trying to avoid — not to mention the possibility of more US caskets coming home in the months before polls open.

But with Republicans urging the 81-year-old to “hit Iran”, Biden can ill afford to portray weakness against Tehran as he struggles with low approval ratings ahead of a likely rematch with Donald Trump.

“He’s under tremendous pressure — the administration’s in a kind of a lose-lose situation,” Colin Clarke, research director at the Soufan Center in New York, said.

The White House yesterday promised a “very consequential” answer to the attack on a base in Jordan on Sunday that killed three US troops, the first to die in hostile action since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

Biden himself said “we shall respond” during a campaign event at a church in South Carolina, one of a series he’s held in recent days as he seeks to kickstart his bid for a second term.

UAE slams attack

The UAE has strongly condemned the terrorist attack. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed its full solidarity with Jordan.

Furthermore, the UAE reaffirmed its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law.

With Republicans urging the 81-year-old to ‘hit Iran’, Biden can ill afford to portray weakness against Tehran as he struggles with low approval ratings ahead of a likely rematch with Donald Trump.