US National Security Advisor Interview
"Will Take Additional Attacks and Measures"
The White House warned that the retaliatory airstrikes for the death of U.S. troops stationed in Jordan due to a drone attack by a pro-Iran armed group are "the beginning, not the end." A clear message was sent to Iran not to intervene in this attack.
Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on the 4th (local time), "We will take additional strikes and measures to send a clear message that the U.S. will respond if our forces are attacked or people are killed."
He added, "We believe this attack had a positive effect in weakening the militia forces that seek to attack us," emphasizing, "We will continue such measures if necessary."
Sullivan also stated, "President Joe Biden has made it clear that if U.S. forces are attacked, we will retaliate," and "After the deaths of three U.S. troops, the President issued a stern order for retaliation, which is currently underway."
On the same day, Sullivan appeared on ABC's "This Week" and clearly conveyed the message to Iran not to intervene.
He said, "From Tehran's perspective, I want to say this: If they choose to respond directly to the U.S., they will face our swift and strong measures." This implies that if Iran is involved in the U.S. retaliatory airstrikes, the possibility of direct attacks against Iran will not be ruled out.
Earlier, on the night of the 27th of last month, a pro-Iran militia force attacked the U.S. military base "Tower 22" in northern Jordan with drones, resulting in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers. In response, the U.S. launched retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria on the 2nd. Attacks were carried out on 85 targets across seven facilities, including command and control centers and storage sites for rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. On the following day, the 3rd, the U.S., together with the United Kingdom, conducted airstrikes on 36 Houthi rebel facilities in Yemen.
Iran and Iraq reported that 16 civilians were killed in these attacks. Sullivan said, "We have not been able to confirm any civilian casualties."
This U.S. retaliatory action is analyzed as a delicate "tightrope walk" by the U.S. government, aiming to halt hostile acts through military deterrence while preventing escalation in the Middle East. Although voices demanding a tough stance against Iran, mainly from the Republican Party, are pouring in, the White House is carefully considering the level of response to prevent the spread of conflict in the Middle East.
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