US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin To Deliver Remarks At Pentagon

10:30 ET 15:30 GMT: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will deliver remarks at the Pentagon, likely to preview the upcoming military action the US will take in response to Sunday's drone attack which killed three US personnel at a base in Jordan. LIVESTREAM

• MNI's Political Risk team noted a short time ago that, according to CBS, the US response is likely to include, "a series of strikes over a number of days against targets — including Iranian personnel and facilities — inside Iraq and Syria."
• If that response is confirmed, it would fall largely in line with most analysts' expectations and reflect an effort by Biden administration officials to ensure the response is not, "escalatory."
• White House National Security Advisor John Kirby told reporters yesterday: "We don't seek a war with Iran, we're not looking for a broader conflict,” but because the Jordan attack took the lives of three US personnel, "we will do what we need to do to make sure those responsible are held accountable.”
• Kirby continued: “…we will respond in a time and in a manner of our choosing on our schedule. And just because you haven’t seen anything in the last 48 hours, that doesn’t mean that you’re not going to see anything… when you see the first thing, don’t come to be thinking that that’s going to be the last thing.”
• Austin may also use the remarks to address a recent medical condition which he failed to disclose, prompting major backlash from Republicans and an independent review into procedure.