Michael Flynn: The days of turning a blind eye to Iran's hostile actions are over
On Friday, Michael Flynn, Donald Trump's national security adviser, issued a statement referring to new sanctions against Iran's missile program, warning that the US government will no longer tolerate Iran's provocative actions that threaten American interests.
In this statement, Michael Flynn said, noting that "the international community has tolerated Iran's bad behavior far too much," adding: "The days of turning a blind eye to Iran's hostile and aggressive actions toward the United States and the international community are over."
Following Iran's missile test on Sunday, the US Treasury Department on Friday, February 5, added 25 individuals and entities to its sanctions list in connection with the Islamic Republic's recent missile test, including 13 individuals and 12 companies, some of whom are active in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and China.
In response to this, Iran has threatened to impose "legal restrictions" against individuals and companies that, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, "play a role in creating and assisting extremist terrorist groups in the region" and "help kill and suppress the defenseless people of the region."
In his statement, Mr. Flynn emphasized, referring to these sanctions: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and has supported and participated in violent activities to destabilize the Middle East. Despite the agreement that the Obama administration made with Iran, which was beneficial to Iran, these actions continue. Today's sanctions target these Iranian behaviors."
National Security Advisor Donald Trump added: "Iran's aggressive and illegal behavior has increased since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement was reached."
He continued the statement by mentioning the arrest of sailors and missile tests as examples of Iran's actions after the nuclear deal.
The US Treasury Department announced on Friday that the announced sanctions were imposed to counter "Iran's ballistic missile program" and "destabilizing activities in the region" by Tehran.
However, in its response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry described these sanctions as "illegitimate cross-border sanctions" which, according to the statement, were imposed "under the pretext of the recent missile test."
The Iranian 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 the right of the Iranian people "based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations" and that interference by others in this regard "violates the peremptory rules of international law, and is beyond the jurisdiction of any country or institution."
In response to Tehran's missile test, the US President had previously tweeted: "Iran is playing with fireworks," and emphasized that he would not adopt Barack Obama's "kind treatment" toward Iran.
Source: Radio Farda
