NSC's Gen. Mike Flynn: "Today We Are Officially Putting Iran On Notice"

Zero Hedge ^ | 02/01/2017

[SeekAndFind]

When Iran test fired a new ballistic missile on Sunday, an act it confirmed this morning, it was aware it was taking a calculated risk and, more importantly, was testing America's response and resolve to preserve Obama's nuclear deal. It got the answer this afternoon, when shortly before 2pm, President Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, said the United States was officially putting Iran on notice on Wednesday over its "destabilizing activity" after it test-fired a ballistic missile over the weekend.

"As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice," Flynn told a White House briefing, without explaining exactly what that meant, although it is clear that any more provocations by Iran and whatever existing deals Iran had with the Obama administration will almost certainly be revised if not torn up.

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn at White House briefing: "As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice." pic.twitter.com/RxtK8B36xu

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 1, 2017

Flynn also added that in his view the ballistic missile launch on Sunday was in defiance of a U.N. Security Council resolution that called on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons; prior to Flynn's clarification.

The retired general did not detail what actions the administration would take in response to the test, but said that National Security Council staff would brief reporters at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Flynn also criticized former President Obama for being soft on Iran and claiming his administration "failed to respond adequately."

Flynn's full statement is below:

Statement by the National Security Advisor

 

"Recent Iranian actions, including a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants, underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran's destabilizing behavior across the Middle East.

 

The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls upon Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology."

 

These are just the latest of a series of incidents in the past six months in which Houthi forces that Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels, and threatened U.S. and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. In these and other similar activities, Iran continues to threaten U.S. friends and allies in the region. Iran continues to threaten U.S. friends and allies in the region.

 

The Obama Administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran's malign actions—including weapons transfers, support for terrorism, and other violations of international norms. 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.

 

President Trump has severely criticized the various agreements reached between Iran and the Obama Administration, as well as the United Nations - as being weak and ineffective.

 

Instead of being thankful to the United States for these agreements, Iran is now feeling emboldened.

 

As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice."

* * *

Meanwhile, in a separate matter, the WSJ reported that Flynn himself has some ongoing problems of his own when several top Democratic members of Congress asked the Defense Department to investigate whether retired Lt. Gen. Flynn violated the Constitution when he accepted money from a Russian television network that U.S. intelligence officials say is part of a state-funded media apparatus.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, the lawmakers said that since Mr. Flynn retired from the Army in 2014, he has appeared regularly on Russia Today, or RT, a state-sponsored television network. The letter also notes that Mr. Flynn acknowledged he was paid to speak at a gala in Moscow celebrating RT’s 10th anniversary in December 2015. At the event, he dined alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The lawmakers said Mr. Flynn may have violated the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits someone “holding any office of profit or trust”—meaning a public office or military position—from accepting gifts or payments from a foreign country.

[Responsibility2nd]

NSA’s Gen. Mike Flynn: “Today We Are Officially Putting Iran On Notice”

_____________________________________

The first thing Iran should notice here is that their Sugar Mama Obama is gone. No more billions of dollars from the US. No more green light to develop a nuclear arsenal.

[ColdOne]

No read line here.

[pgkdan]

This was really a pretty dramatic performance. Spicer was at the podium and Flynn came out, took the mic, read the statement and then exited. FBN said that the market dipped when it happened but then recovered.

Now we need the rest of the story. I think that if any of their gun boats make provocative moves against one of our ships again they're gonna regret it.

[Grampa Dave]

You know this group never does anything without a Never Trump slam against Trump or his people. Here is their bs that was buried a week or so ago.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, the lawmakers said that since Mr. Flynn retired from the Army in 2014, he has appeared regularly on Russia Today, or RT, a state-sponsored television network. The letter also notes that Mr. Flynn acknowledged he was paid to speak at a gala in Moscow celebrating RT’s 10th anniversary in December 2015. At the event, he dined alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The lawmakers said Mr. Flynn may have violated the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits someone “holding any office of profit or trust”—meaning a public office or military position—from accepting gifts or payments from a foreign country.

[NEMDF]

Something new for the protestors to protest tonight. LOL

I heard a person here (I think is liberal-leaning but not 100% insane) talking on the phone to his daughter, who is extremely liberal and still having mental illness issues ever since the election. She must have said something about the Supreme Court nomination to him, and he said to her, “.....those protestors at the Supreme Court were going to protest whoever was named last night. They had their signs all ready with fill-in-the-blank spaces, to complete once Trump named his candidate....”.

Frankly, I am not sure if he felt that was a good thing or a bad thing that they had fill-in-the blank signs ready.

[RC one]

We could manage Iran: Keep it limited to bombs and missiles for the most part. Destroy their C3I. Control the skies. A few ground missions here and there for those places where bombs might not be effective. Keep the mission simple, specific, limited, and obtainable and don’t let it creep. Make an effort to minimize collateral damage.

[InsidiousMongo]

After the memories and history of the Tanker Wars, and Operation Praying Mantis, Iran better remember our missile tech has improved since then.

Next surface action will be an Arleigh Burke class vs some Iranian tugboat. Sit back and watch. ROE Leash will be cut.

[FlingWingFlyer]

All the “media” bobbleheads are asking “what does that mean?” I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I know what it means. The adults are back in charge in the U.S.A.

[lacrew]

Reagan went through this. IIRC, he had the military bomb some oil platforms and maybe sink a ship.

That got their attention.

[InsidiousMongo]

Numerous Iranian ships were damaged and sunk in Operation Praying Mantis after an Iranian mine nearly sunk the USS Samuel B Roberts Frigate.

[soycd]

But it was an islam religion of peace missile. Such racism. /s

[PapaBear3625]

lawmakers said that since Mr. Flynn retired from the Army in 2014, he has appeared regularly on Russia Today, or RT, a state-sponsored television network. The letter also notes that Mr. Flynn acknowledged he was paid to speak at a gala in Moscow celebrating RT’s 10th anniversary in December 2015. At the event, he dined alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. The lawmakers said Mr. Flynn may have violated the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits someone “holding any office of profit or trust”—meaning a public office or military position—from accepting gifts or payments from a foreign country.

Somebody please explain WTF they're talking about. Flynn was retired from the Army, so what "office of profit or trust" was he holding?

[MUDDOG]

Taking names. Kicking butt.

[RC one]

Yep, operation praying Mantis. That was the right way to do it.He maybe could have hit them a little harder though. We need their military to be degraded just enough to be incapable of stopping us from ending their nuclear aspirations.

[Pirate Ragnar]

There is a new deputy sheriff in town!

[pa_dweller]

I think that if any of their gun boats make provocative moves against one of our ships again they're gonna regret it.

One thing's gair on teed, if the Iranians send a couple of gunboats out for a test and they're turned into splinters, CNN et al will blare "Trump destabilizes Middle East, attempting to start WWIII." If they just come out and approach within attack range and nothing is done we'll hear "Trump fears to use U.S. forces to defend." That's just the way those b******s are.

[GOYAKLA]

RIP, Justin Wilson!
“gair on teed”

[datricker]

Is this some sort of terminology from Obama Chamberlins Iran deal? Perhaps it triggers some clock or fixin to reckon to start something?

[pa_dweller]

RIP, Justin Wilson!

Somebody got it! I don't know if it's true but, I heard once that he only put on the accent for the show.