Trump White House puts Iran on notice over ballistic missile test

President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, said on Wednesday the US was officially putting Iran on notice over its “destabilizing activity” after it test-fired a ballistic missile over the weekend.
“As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice,” Flynn told a White House briefing, without explaining exactly what that meant.
Flynn said: “The missile launch is 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.”
In a highly unusual step, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer interrupted a daily briefing with media to pave the way for Flynn. Flynn took to the podium to announce that the US is taking the step due to Iran’s recent missile test and an attack on a Saudi military ship by Houthi fighters in Yemen.
The missile testing combined with the Houthi attack, “underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran's destabilizing behavior across the Middle East,” Flynn said.
“These are just the latest in the past six months in which Houthi forces that Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels, and threatened US and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea,” according to Flynn.
Flynn said: “The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions — including weapons transfers, support for terrorism and other violations of international norms. 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.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, in a phone call on Wednesday with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, rejected meddling by Iran and its agents in the internal affairs of countries in the region in order to undermine security and stability.
Mattis condemned the terrorist attack against a Saudi frigate in the western Yemeni port of Hodeida, and offered his condolences over the killings of Saudi sailors.
The footage of the attack was shown by Arab TV channels. In the video, Houthi rebels celebrated hitting the vessel.
Prince Mohammed thanked Mattis for his thoughts about the Kingdom, and highlighted the strategic relations between the two countries, spanning over 80 years.
Underscoring Mattis’ experience in the region, Prince Mohammed said he is looking forward to working together to serve the interests of both countries and to defeat terrorism, militias and piracy.
The prince stressed that it is necessary to restore regional stability and develop bilateral ties, following the directives of King Salman.
Mattis expressed his readiness to work with Prince Mohammed in all fields. They confirmed their preparedness to implement the wishes of King Salman and US President Donald Trump to work jointly to counter Iran’s interventionist policy.
Trump has opposed a July 2015 nuclear deal between world powers and Iran that saw the lifting of international sanctions in exchange for guarantees that it will not pursue a nuclear weapons capability. On Sunday, the White House said Trump and King Salman agreed on “rigorously” enforcing the Iran deal.
— with input from Reuters, AFP

Source : Arab News