Michael Flynn: The Days of Tolerating Iran's Hostile Actions Are Over

Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, issued a statement on Friday, February 4, warning that the U.S. government will no longer tolerate Iran's provocative actions that threaten American interests, in light of new sanctions against Iran's missile program. Flynn noted that 'the international community has tolerated Iran's bad behavior for too long' and stated, 'the days of overlooking Iran's hostile and aggressive actions towards the U.S. and the international community are over.' Following Iran's missile test on Sunday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Friday, February 4, that it had placed 25 individuals and entities associated with the recent missile test by the Islamic Republic on its sanctions list, which includes 13 individuals and 12 companies, some of which operate in the UAE, Lebanon, and China. In response, Iran threatened to impose 'legal restrictions' against individuals and companies that, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, 'play a role in creating and assisting extremist terrorist groups in the region' and 'contribute to the slaughter and repression of defenseless people in the region.' Flynn emphasized in his statement that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the foremost state sponsor of terrorism and has supported and participated in violent activities to destabilize the Middle East. Despite an agreement made by the Obama administration that favored Iran, these actions continue. Today's sanctions target these behaviors of Iran. The National Security Advisor added that since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was reached, Iran's aggressive and illegal behaviors have increased. He cited the detention of sailors and the missile test as examples of Iran's actions following the nuclear agreement. The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Friday that the sanctions were imposed to counter Iran's 'ballistic missile program' and 'destabilizing activities in the region.' However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry described these sanctions as 'illegitimate extraterritorial sanctions' that, according to the statement, were imposed 'under the pretext of the recent missile test.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement emphasized that Iran's missile capabilities are 'designed solely for defensive purposes and the carrying of conventional weapons' and 'will never be used except in legitimate defense.' The statement added that the 'development' of these capabilities is 'the right of the Iranian people based on international law and the United Nations Charter,' and interference by others in this regard 'violates peremptory norms of international law and is beyond the jurisdiction of any country or entity.' In response to Tehran's missile test, the U.S. President previously tweeted: 'Iran is playing with fire,' emphasizing that he will not adopt Barack Obama's 'kind behavior' towards Iran.