GOP Hawks Push Biden Towards Military Action Against Iran

President Biden is calibrating a response to a drone strike on a US base in Jordan, perpetrated by an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, which killed three US service personnel - The first US fatalities from military action since October 7, 2023.

• Biden released a statementpledging to, "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing," but is under pressure from Republican foreign policy hawks - who argue that targeted strikes have failed to contain the conflict or deter Iran’s clients - to take direct military action against Iran.
• Senator Roger Wicker (R-MI) said: “We must respond to these repeated attacks by Iran and its proxies by striking directly against Iranian targets and its leadership.”
• Rep Mike Rogers (R-AL) said Biden’s, “fear of escalation has morphed into a doctrine of appeasement.”
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said: "The United States [must impose] serious, crippling costs — not only on front-line terrorist proxies, but on their Iranian sponsors...”
• Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said: “I am calling on the Biden administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression.”
• The Biden admin believes a negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is the most credible route to containing the conflict. During a one-week pause in November, attacks on US forces reduced significantly.
• Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said US-led talks in Paris yesterday on a two-month ceasefire-hostage exchange were “constructive,” but cautioned that “significant gaps” remained. Talks will continue this week.