White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed on CNN on Sunday that “further action” will take place in the Middle East, but said the United States does not want “a broader war.”
Sullivan appears on 'State of T'They will discuss Friday's retaliatory U.S. strikes in Iraq and Syria for the Jan. 28 drone attack on U.S. forces in Jordan. Sullivan said the plan was a “policy pursuit” that would result in a “strong and clear” response that would not result in war, and said the approach was “simple and straightforward.” (Related: US launches retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria)
“First of all, Dana, the president has approached this on a straightforward principle: If our military is attacked, the United States will step up and respond. We don't want a broader war. We're not going to take the United States into a war,” Sullivan said.
“We're going to continue to pursue a policy that's on both of those lines at the same time. It's one that responds as forcefully and clearly as we did on Friday night, but at the same time does what we've seen too often in the Middle East. He continues to maintain an approach that does not involve the United States in wars. Previous presidents have had to deal with large numbers of American casualties and American deaths in the Middle East from wars. This president is our He's trying to protect his interests and protect our military. That's what he's going to continue to do.”
Mr. Bash echoed Mr. Sullivan's earlier comments that the latest action was “just the beginning,” and asked whether this meant “more strikes” would take place in the coming days. Sullivan acknowledged that this meant the US would continue to take “further actions” but would not explain the “nature” of future actions. (Related article: US conducts self-defense strikes against 'deeply buried' Houthi targets)
“You said it was 'just the beginning', but just to be clear, does that mean there will be more strikes in the coming days?” Bash asked.
“What that means is we will take further action. I'm not going to spell out the nature of that action clearly because I don't want to telegraph our punches. But there will be further action. Deaf,” Sullivan said.
“Within Iran? Can you rule that out at this point?” Bash asked.
“Look, I'm not trying to regulate or eliminate any activity anywhere. What I'm saying is that I think the president should do something. Again, emphasize that he's going to protect our military and he's not going to get into a war,” Sullivan said.
Three U.S. military personnel were killed in a drone attack on January 28th. The United States responded Friday by attacking Iranian-backed extremist groups. U.S. Central Command confirmed that the counterattack resulted in aircraft, including long-range bombers, hitting more than 85 targets.
The deceased was Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Georgia; Special Waycross, Georgia and Kennedy Ladon Sanders of the South Pacific. Breonna Alexandria Moffett of Savannah, Georgia. The trio was assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade in Fort Moore, Georgia. according to to the Department of Defense.
Officials said the airstrikes hit Iranian militias and their affiliates, setting off the first wave of retaliation from the United States. Since the first airstrikes, a second round of U.S. and British airstrikes struck targets in Yemen's Houthi-controlled areas on Saturday.
