On his first day on the job after a break due to prostate treatment, Austin said he was recovering from the procedures.
“Let me begin by saying that I am outraged and saddened by the deaths of three brave American soldiers in Jordan,” CNN quoted the minister as saying.
The Jan. 28 attack killed three U.S. troops and left at least 34 people being assessed for possible traumatic brain injuries. US President Joe Biden said Iranian-backed militant groups in Syria and Iraq were responsible for the attack. Iran, for its part, said it had nothing to do with the strike.
The base, called Tower 22, is home to approximately 350 military personnel.
Biden is now weighing all his options for retaliating.