National Security Adviser: U.S. Will Take Further Military Action Against Iran-Backed Groups

Introduction

National security adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Sunday that the United States is prepared to carry out additional military strikes against Iran-backed groups. Despite this, Sullivan emphasized that the U.S. is not seeking a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Persistent Response to Attacks

Sullivan emphasized that President Biden’s stance is clear: when American forces are attacked, the U.S. will respond. He highlighted that the recent strikes were not a conclusion, expressing that the president’s ongoing military response will include additional strikes and actions. Sullivan stressed the importance of sending a strong message that the U.S. will retaliate when its forces are attacked or its people are killed.

Potential Strikes Inside Iran

Sullivan declined to disclose whether the U.S. has ruled out strikes inside Iran, stating that he cannot publicly discuss the specific military actions that have been considered. However, he reiterated that President Biden is determined to respond forcefully to attacks on American personnel and is not seeking a wider war in the Middle East.

Background and Recent Retaliatory Strikes

As a response to a drone strike on an American base in northeastern Jordan that resulted in the death of three U.S. troops and injuries to many others, the U.S. conducted retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria. These strikes targeted over 85 locations associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Iran-backed militants.

In addition, the U.S. and Britain jointly launched attacks against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen. The purpose of these attacks was to further destabilize Iran-backed groups. The Houthis, who have strong ties to Iran, have been attacking commercial and warships in the Red Sea, justifying their actions as solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. Sullivan characterized these as distinct but interconnected challenges, highlighting the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent further escalation of the situation in the region.

Iran’s Denial and Concerns

Iran has denied involvement in the drone strike in Jordan, asserting that militants are acting independently. On Saturday, Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the retaliatory strikes conducted by the U.S. in Iraq and Syria.

When asked about the risk of Iranian-backed forces retaliating against U.S. forces, Sullivan acknowledged that it is an ongoing concern. He emphasized that if more attacks occur, the U.S. will respond accordingly.

Media Appearances

Sullivan also made appearances on ABC’s “This Week,” CBS’ “Face the Nation,” and CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday morning.