WH national security adviser: Iran is 'on notice'

WH national security adviser: Iran is 'on notice'

Wed February 1, 2017

President Donald Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn condemned on Wednesday Iran's recent ballistic missile test launch, calling it a "provocative" breach of a UN Security Council resolution. Flynn called the launch the latest in a series of provocative moves by Iran that have included backing Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have attacked US allies. As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice," Flynn said from the White House briefing room. The UN Security Council Resolution is not part of the Iran nuclear deal, but a separate security council resolution.

Flynn did not signal that the US would take any concrete actions, whether military or diplomatic, to counter what he described as "provocative" Iranian actions. Flynn added that Iran's actions threaten stability in the region and place American lives at risk, and said Iran was "on notice." "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," he said. White House press secretary Sean Spicer added Wednesday that the US won't "sit by and not act on those actions." He said Flynn would brief reporters with additional information later Wednesday afternoon.

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The ballistic missile test by Iran is actually not a violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal signed by Iran and the P5+1 nations on 14 July 2015. However, it may be a violation of UN Resolution 2231 which forbids Iran to conduct any ballistic missile tests (until eight years after the JCPOA is signed) in which the ballistic missile being tested is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The problem is, Resolution 2231 does not clarify what is meant or intended by the key phrase "capable of carrying a nuclear warhead". Washington called on the Security Council to look into the missile launch arguing that it violated Resolution 2231. The UN Security Council met on Tuesday at the Trump administration's request after the U.S. ambassador to the international body called the test “unacceptable.” The emergency meeting, however, did not come up with any specific decision, recommending it be studied at committee level, Reuters quoted British UN ambassador Matthew Rycroft as saying. Permanent UN Security Council member and Tehran ally Russia would probably veto any punitive UN resolution put forth by the US and/or other members of the UNSC.

A fairly tepid response thus far for the Trump administration's initial international challenge. Iran's Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan was quoted as saying "Our missile tests do not conflict with JCPOA or Resolution 2231.” adding that "Tehran will press ahead with its missile program."