Drone from Iran proxy evaded US defenses because it was mistaken for US drone: official
Iran-proxy drone got past Tower 22 air defenses because it was mistaken for US drone returning to base
By Danielle Wallace , Liz Friden Fox News
Published January 29, 2024 11:31am EST
A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News the drone from an Iranian proxy that killed 3 American service members in Jordan and injured others got past the air defenses for Tower 22 because it was mistaken for a U.S. drone expected to return to the base at the same time.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported on this development on Monday. A U.S. official confirmed the information to Fox News.
President Biden has vowed to take action against Iranian-backed militants in the Middle East after the drone attack at Tower 22, a post in Jordan near Syria's border, over the weekend.
According to U.S. officials who spoke with the Journal, the enemy drone was launched from Iraq by a militia backed by Tehran, but Iran rejected "baseless" claims it was linked to the attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the attack when he returned to work at the Pentagon on Monday after nearly a month's absence because of prostate cancer.
"Let me start with my outrage and sorrow for the deaths of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded. The president and I will not tolerate attack on U.S. forces. And we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops," Austin said, while meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., who serves on the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees and is a former U.S. Army special forces commander, told Fox News’ Harris Faulkner on Monday that Iran "has gotten the message loud and clear that they can get away with it."
more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/drone-iran-proxy-evaded-us-defenses-mistaken-us-drone-official