Michael Flynn: Days of Turning a Blind Eye to Iran’s Hostile Actions Are Over
Michael Flynn, Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor, warned on Friday, February 5, by issuing a statement that referenced new sanctions against Iran’s missile program, stating that the US government will no longer tolerate Iran’s provocative actions that threaten American interests.
Michael Flynn stated in this statement, referring to the fact that “the international community has tolerated Iran’s misconduct for too long,” saying: “The days of turning a blind eye to Iran’s hostile and aggressive actions against America and the international community are over.”
Following Iran’s missile test on Sunday, the US Treasury Department on Friday, February 5, placed 25 individuals and entities related to Iran’s recent missile test on its sanctions list, which includes 13 individuals and 12 companies, some of which are active in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and China.
Iran, in response to this matter, threatened to impose “legal restrictions” on individuals and companies that, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s claim, “play a role in creating and assisting terrorist extremist groups in the region” and “contribute to the killing and suppression of defenseless people in the region.”
Mr. Flynn emphasized in his statement, referring to these sanctions: The Islamic Republic of Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and has supported and participated in violent activities to destabilize the Middle East. Despite the agreement the Obama administration reached with Iran, which was favorable to Iran, these actions have continued. Today’s sanctions targeted these Iranian behaviors. Trump’s National Security Advisor added: Since the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” agreement was reached, Iran’s aggressive and unlawful behaviors have increased.
He further cited the detention of sailors as well as missile testing as examples of Iran’s actions following the nuclear agreement.
The US Treasury Department announced on Friday that the announced sanctions are being imposed to counter “Iran’s ballistic missile program” and “destabilizing activities in the region” by Tehran.
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry, in its response, described these sanctions as “illegitimate extraterritorial sanctions” that, according to the statement, “have been imposed under the pretext of Iran’s recent missile test.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry statement emphasizes that Iran’s missile capabilities “are designed solely for defensive purposes and to carry conventional weapons” and “will never be used except in legitimate defense.”
The statement adds that the “development” of these capabilities “is based on international law and the UN Charter,” and other countries’ interference in this matter “violates peremptory rules of international law and is beyond the jurisdiction of any country or body.”
In response to Tehran’s missile test, the US President previously wrote in a Twitter message: “Iran is playing with fire,” and emphasized that he would not adopt Barack Obama’s “kind treatment” toward Iran.
Source: Radio Farda
