Iran Denies Involvement in Attack That Killed US Soldiers

Iran has denied involvement in the attack on U.S. soldiers in Jordan that killed three and injured at least 34 on Sunday.

For Context: U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that the attack was carried out by “radical Iran-backed militant groups” and vowed retaliation.

Key Quotes: Iran’s UN mission said in a statement published by the state news agency Irna, “Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base,” adding: “There is a conflict between US forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said, “As we have clearly stated before, the resistance groups in the region are responding to war crimes and genocide. They do not take orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

How The Media Covered It: The Guardian (Lean Left bias) cited Iran’s UN mission statement and covered the news as part of its live coverage for January 29. It also said this incident draws the U.S. “much closer” to war with Iran. BBC News (Center bias) and RT (Lean Right bias) cited Kanaani’s statement. BBC added extra context on America’s recently expressed ambitions to not escalate the conflict in the region, and its recent attacks against Iran-backed proxies like the Houthis. RT noted that several Shia groups in the region have pledged solidarity with Palestinians.