National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned on Sunday that an assault on Iranian soil was doable after the United States launched airstrikes focusing on Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria on Friday in retaliation for the killing of three American troopers. Gender was not excluded.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sullivan was requested by host Kristen Welker whether or not the U.S. has dominated out an assault on Iranian soil.
“As I sit right here right this moment on a nationwide information program, I’m not going to enter what we have been regulating and eliminating when it comes to navy operations,” he mentioned. “What I’m saying is that the president is decided to reply decisively to assaults on our individuals. He additionally doesn’t desire a broader warfare within the Middle East.”
“But is that sudden? Is a strike inside Iran off the desk?” Welker pressed.
“Again, Kristen, sitting right here in entrance of the TV, it could be unwise to speak about what we’re judging and what we’re excluding,” he responded.
Mr. Welker requested once more: “So you are not ruling it out?” Sullivan mentioned: “I’ll say it once more.”
“I’m not going to enter what’s on and off the desk in terms of the U.S. response,” he continued.
Mr. Welker turned to the Israel-Hamas warfare and requested, “Do now we have a whole understanding of what number of hostages have been taken and are nonetheless alive?”
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Sullivan mentioned the United States doesn’t have a “clear image” of what number of hostages are alive or lifeless.
“As you already know, now we have mentioned from the start that we don’t and can’t know precisely what number of hostages there are due to the character of Hamas working within the Gaza Strip behind civilian cowl and in tunnels. “I’ve mentioned that from the start. How many individuals are nonetheless alive who’ve tragically died,” he mentioned.
“During the course of this battle, we realized that no less than two American residents, beforehand considered hostages, died on October 7,” he added. “So whereas we can not say with certainty the precise variety of hostages, we all know that there are various, and we additionally know that it’s our job each day to convey them residence.”
More than 130 hostages captured by Hamas militants on October 7 are estimated to be in Gaza, some presumed lifeless.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Saturday cited the “harmful scenario at the moment going through Israel” and introduced a brand new deal for Israel after the Senate agreed to a tentative immigration deal scheduled for a vote this week. introduced a standalone invoice to supply help.
Asked Sunday if he would signal the invoice if President Joe Biden launched it, Sullivan dismissed it as a “ruse.”
“We view this maneuver, and the maneuver at the moment being proposed by the House, as not a critical effort to deal with the nationwide safety challenges going through the United States. ” Sullivan mentioned.