The US "will respond" after an Iran-backed drone killed three of its troops in Jordan over the weekend - the first US fatalities after months of strikes by groups against American forces.
Joe Biden remains defiant, stressing his nation "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing". However, an expert told the Mirror today that "the world is on the edge", as tensions escalate across the Middle East.
Professor of International Relations at the University of Essex, Natasha Lindstaedt, said: "I don't think we are heading to global conflict yet; it is more likely for this to be a back and forth between the US and Iran (and its proxies in Syria) - as what happened between Trump and Iran in January 2020.
"It does mean that the world is on edge, and of course, there is always the potential for things to escalate, but given Iran's economic woes, it will need to back down at some point."
The latest attack was allegedly carried out by Iranian-linked militias who have attacked US bases multiple times since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Here, our Defence and Security Editor offers further detail about the situation in Iran.
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UK troops fired missiles at an incoming Houthi drone in Jordan on Sunday (PA)WHY ARE US TROOPS STILL IN THE REGION?
They are still there as they are involved in training local forces in counter-terrorism. These are very low-key deployments aimed at maintaining a presence whilst not appearing as occupiers. They are also there supporting various western special forces operations against remaining Islamic State cells which still exist throughout Syria and Iraq.
WHAT DOES THIS, IF ANYTHING, HAVE TO DO WITH THE UK?
Whatever American troops are doing in Middle East, there is usually a UK presence and Britain has been heavily involved in training missions, especially in Iraq, teaching locals how to defeat terrorism. Any action against US troops can have severe implications for UK forces too and Britain is also supporting Israel. UK troops have been involved in training Iraqi forces.
WHAT IS IRAN’S INTENTION IN BACKING THESE GROUPS?
Iran’s aim is multi-faceted but primarily it wants to muscle-flex its influence in the region against Saudi Arabia and Qatar who both wield enormous influence. It wants to force US troops to withdraw from Iraq, Syria and Jordan because of American support for Israel. It harnesses the Palestinian struggle to garner support for anti-US sentiment and also wants to test the US response, whilst remaining just below the threshold for all-out war.
WILL THIS SPILL OVER INTO ALL-OUT WAR?
Neither side wants this, not the US or Iran as it would be extremely costly financially and politically. Iran is prodding the US and has been doing so for months. Behind the scenes Washington is becoming impatient with Iran’s meddling and the US will have to react to the killing of three soldiers. America has a long history of revenge attacks and never lets these kind of attacks go without punishment. But it will be keen to make the revenge strike isolated and not part of a pattern or a build up towards all-out war.
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