US Warning to Iran: Attack on Americans Will Have Severe Consequences
Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor of the White House, told Iranian officials that if they attack American citizens, they will face severe consequences. Sullivan made these remarks in response to Iran’s sanctions against 52 American citizens.
Reuters news agency reported on Sunday, December 19 (January 9), that Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor of the White House, stated in a statement that any Iranian attack on American citizens will have “serious consequences.”
Mr. Sullivan said that the sanctions announced by Iran on Saturday, December 18, against 52 Americans coincided with the continued attacks by Iran-backed groups on American soldiers present in the Middle East as well as threats by Iranian officials to carry out terrorist operations within American territory and other parts of the world.
The National Security Advisor of the White House warned the leaders of the Islamic Republic: “Make no mistake. America will defend its citizens, and this includes current and former U.S. government employees.”
Sullivan further emphasized in his statement that America wants to cooperate with its allies and partners to prevent Iranian attacks.
He also added that “America will respond to any attack carried out by Iran” and if Iran attacks any of our 52 nationals, it will be dealt with severely.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday, December 18, that 51 Americans have been sanctioned for “terrorism” and “human rights violations.”
These sanctions allow Iranian officials to seize the assets of sanctioned Americans. However, the Islamic Republic knows well that Americans have no assets in Iran and sanctioning them is mostly a “symbolic” measure.
Reuters in its report on this matter also noted that Mr. Sullivan’s statement mentioned 52 people while Iranian officials reported sanctions against only 51 people.
Iran’s sanctions include General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Armed Forces, and Robert O’Brien, National Security Advisor of the United States.
Source: DW
