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US Secretary of Defense Austin at his press conference in the Pentagon: "The President will not tolerate attacks on American troops, and I will not do that either."

Photo: Kevin Wolf / AP

Lloyd Austin has had tough weeks: a cancer diagnosis last December, an initial procedure with complications, then admission to Walter Reed Military Hospital.

Then his personal handling of the illness also caused him considerable trouble: Because Austin initially did not inform US President Joe Biden or Congress about his illness and his hospital stay and only ensured transparency after a delay of days, the minister was also in his own party in criticism.

Austin therefore used a press conference this Thursday to make a comprehensive public apology. »I should have informed the President of my cancer diagnosis. I should have told my team and the American public and take full responsibility. “I apologize to my team and the American people,” Austin said ruefully.

“We will react in several stages”

But his press conference was not just an appointment on his own behalf. The defense minister was also interested in concrete policy and a sign of determination. "This is a dangerous moment in the Middle East," Austin said, discussing the deadly attack by pro-Iranian militias on US soldiers in Jordan.

"The president will not tolerate attacks on American troops, and neither will I," Austin continued at the Pentagon. They want to avoid a major conflict in the region. "But we want to hold the people responsible for this accountable," Austin warned.

The US therefore ordered a series of retaliatory strikes that would last more than a day, said Austin. "We will react in several stages and are able to react several times depending on the situation."

USA emphasizes that it is not at war with Iran

Two US soldiers were killed in the drone attack near the Syrian border on Sunday. Numerous other soldiers were injured. The US government blamed the group “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” which had previously claimed responsibility for the attack. It is a kind of umbrella group for pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, which have been operating together under this general name since October 7th.

While Tehran has denied involvement, Austin said on Thursday: "We don't know how much Iran knew or didn't know. But it doesn't matter," because Iran finances these groups and sometimes also trains them. And without this kind of support, such attacks on US bases would not happen. At the same time, Austin makes it clear: "We are not at war with Iran."

Austin said the Pentagon is still investigating the drone that hit Tower 22. Tower 22 is a US military base in northeastern Jordan that is crucial to the US presence in neighboring Syria. Austin emphasized that he did not believe that the opponents were aiming for a one-off action. »So you have a lot of skills. I have much more,” said the US Secretary of Defense. "We will do what is necessary to protect our troops."

Since the Israel-Gaza war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas began in October, pro-Iranian militias have carried out almost daily attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria. The US government responded with air strikes in both countries. In addition, the Yemeni Houthis – in solidarity with Hamas – repeatedly attack freighters in the Red Sea. In response, the US and Britain, with the support of allies, carried out military strikes against the Iranian-backed militia in Yemen.

hen/dpa/AP