WH Kirby: President Biden Will Determine Response To Jordan Attack

White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby has told reporters that the US, "does not seek another war, we do not seek to escalate, but we will absolutely do what is required to protect ourselves, to continue that [anti-ISIS] mission, and to respond appropriately to these attacks."

• Kirby says the mission in Jordan, which was struck by Iranian-backed militants yesterday is, "separate and distinct," "longstanding," and "unrelated" to US efforts to support Israel and prevent a wider conflict.
• On what, "the response will look like, what's appropriate, and what response options the president is considering," Kirby says: "I hope you can understand why I'm not going to telegraphy any punches from the podium..." Kirby adds that Biden has met with his national security team twice since the attack, "and is weighing the options before him."
• Kirby: "As [Biden] said yesterday: 'We will respond,' we'll do that on our schedule in our time, and and we'll do it in a manner of the President's choosing."
• Kirby: "We'll also do it fully cognizant of the fact that these groups, backed by Tehran, have just taken the lives of American troops, and I think I'll leave it there."
• Separately, On negotiations to overhaul policy on the US-Mexico border, White House Press Secretary Jean-Pierre says: "We need [House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson [R-LA] to step up and provide the authorities and resources we have requested to secure the border." More on the current state of border security negotiations in today's edition of the MNI US Daily Brief.