Speaking at the daily White House briefing Wednesday, National Security advisor Michael Flynn announced the Trump Administration is putting Iran on notice after Houthi rebels carried out an attack on a Saudi warship in the Red Sea and killed a number of sailors.
“Recent Iranian actions, including a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants, underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran’s destabilizing behavior across the Middle East," Flynn said. "The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls upon Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.”
"The Obama Administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions—including weapons transfers, support for terrorism, and other violations of international norms," Flynn contined. "The Trump Administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity, and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East and place American lives at risk."
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"As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice," he concluded.
Details about what "notice" means are slim, but Press Secretary Sean Spicer followed up by saying further evaluation is being conducted by the national security team. Flynn and Deputy National Security Advisor KT McFarland, in additional to NSC staff, are scheduled for a 4 p.m. meeting at the White House.
During the presidential campaign Trump argued the Iran nuclear agreement should ripped up, but eventually softened his stance after winning the White House in November.
This post has been updated with additional information.
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