Region Awaits US Response As Iran-Linked Militia Halts Future Strikes

Countries in the Middle East are awaiting the US response to the killing of three of its service personnel and the injuring of dozens of others in a drone strike at a Jordanian outpost after President Joe Biden statedthat he had decided on the course of action that his administration will take following the attack. White House National Security Council spox John Kirby stated that a "tiered approach" was “very possible”, indicating “not just a single action, but potentially multiple actions”.

• The Iraq-based, Iranian-linked Kataib Hezbollah is part of the 'Axis of Resistance' groups that claimed responsibility for the strike. It has now statedthat it has suspended any further attacks on US targets in order "to prevent embarrassment of the Iraqi government". A Pentagon spox on the claim said that "actions speak louder than words."
• A direct strike on Iranian territory is seen as the least-likely outcome given it risks major repercussions in the form of Iranian strikes on US targets, the potential for disruption in the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil transit point - and Iranian strikes on Israel.
• Much of the recent escalation from Iranian-linked groups has been claimed (by said groups) to be in response to Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza. With theprospect of a truce closer than at any point in months, the US may prove reticent to launch direct attacks on Iran, or even its proxies, if it could derail the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza.