Iran put ‘on notice’

Missile test prompts response from U.S.

WASHINGTON - President Trump’s national security adviser delivered strong words for Iran from the White House podium Wednesday, condemning the regime’s test of a ballistic missile that intelligence officials say is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

“As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice,” Michael Flynn said in a statement sharply critical of the Obama administration’s policy toward Iran and promising a tougher stance by the Trump administration.

He did not elaborate on what that notice was, or what options the Trump administration would take. Also conspicuously absent from his remarks was any mention the Iran nuclear deal that Trump had threatened to “rip up” during the presidential campaign last year.

Flynn was responding to an Iranian missile launch Sunday, a key first test of Trump’s reaction to foreign provocation. He also condemned a separate attack by Iranian-backed Houthi militants against a Saudi naval vessel Tuesday.

“The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions, including weapons transfers, support for terrorism, and other violations of international norms,” Flynn said. “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.”

The Obama administration enforced economic sanctions against Iran for its support of terrorism, but decoupled that issue from Iran’s nuclear program in obtaining a seven-nation agreement for Iran to give up its nuclear program.

In his first appearance in the White House briefing room, Flynn called that agreement “weak and ineffective.”

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