The husband of an American soldier confronts Vance: Leadership failures caused her death in an Iranian march

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Joey Amor, the husband of American Sergeant Nicole Amor, who was killed in an Iranian drone attack last March, confronted US Vice President J.D. Vance with sharp questions about what he described as “fundamental failures” that preceded the killing of his wife and five other American soldiers.

During an open meeting organized by CBS News with Vance, he reviewed the circumstances of the attack that targeted the tactical operations center from which the soldiers were working in Kuwait, calling for those responsible to be held accountable for the shortcomings that he said contributed to their downfall.

Amour said that the soldiers took the oath aware of the nature of their duty and the potential sacrifices, adding: “Although the Iranian march was the weapon that killed my wife, there were many fundamental mistakes and failures that led to this.”

He revealed that he heard information from his wife, before her death, regarding what happened, noting that other soldiers have information regarding some aspects of the case, but they remain silent.

He added: “There is a failure in leadership, and I want to know how this administration will begin to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and for the killing of the soldiers whom we honor and love.” Vance responded by saying that this is “literally the first time I've heard of this,” acknowledging that the nature of his position can sometimes leave him isolated from certain information.

The Vice President said: “This position is a great honor, but you live somewhat inside a bubble, and sometimes the information does not reach me,” pledging to deal with all shortcomings with the utmost seriousness and work to address them. The six American soldiers were killed when an Iranian drone hit the tactical operations center from which they were working in Kuwait. The youngest was Sergeant Declan Jay Cody, aged 20.

According to a previous CBS News report, the triple-wide trailer in which the soldiers were believed to be working was fortified with steel-reinforced concrete barriers, known as T-walls, that were about 12 feet high.

These barriers are used to protect military personnel from explosions, missile attacks, and shrapnel, but they were not sufficient to protect the trailer from a direct air strike from above. Military officials also told the network that they did not remember hearing warning sirens before the attack, which means that the soldiers may not have received a warning that would allow them to evacuate to a fortified shelter.

The confrontation sparked political criticism of Vance. Former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene attacked his position during the meeting, saying that he wrongly defended the war, and that showing sympathy does not address the failures associated with it.

This incident comes at a time when Vance and the Republican Party are facing political pressure before the midterm elections, amid widespread opposition among Americans to the war on Iran.

Earlier this October, the Pentagon raised the death toll of American military personnel in the war with Iran to 21 soldiers.