National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that an attack on Iranian soil was possible after the United States launched airstrikes targeting Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria on Friday in retaliation for the killing of three American soldiers. Gender was not excluded.
During an interview on NBC's “Meet the Press,” Sullivan was asked by host Kristen Welker whether the U.S. has ruled out an attack on Iranian soil.
“As I sit here today on a national news program, I'm not going to go into what we've been regulating and eliminating in terms of military operations,” he said. “What I am saying is that the president is determined to respond decisively to attacks on our people. He also does not want a broader war in the Middle East.”
“But is that unexpected? Is a strike inside Iran off the table?” Welker pressed.
“Again, Kristen, sitting here in front of the TV, it would be unwise to talk about what we are judging and what we are excluding,” he responded.
Mr. Welker asked again: “So you're not ruling it out?” Sullivan said: “I'll say it again.”
“I'm not going to go into what's on and off the table when it comes to the U.S. response,” he continued.
Mr. Welker turned to the Israel-Hamas war and asked, “Do we have a complete understanding of how many hostages have been taken and are still alive?”
Sullivan said the United States does not have a “clear picture” of how many hostages are alive or dead.
“As you know, we have said from the beginning that we do not and cannot know exactly how many hostages there are because of the nature of Hamas operating in the Gaza Strip behind civilian cover and in tunnels. “I've said that from the beginning. How many people are still alive who have tragically died,” he said.
“During the course of this conflict, we learned that at least two American citizens, previously thought to be hostages, died on October 7,” he added. “So while we cannot say with certainty the exact number of hostages, we know that there are many, and we also know that it is our job every day to bring them home.”
More than 130 hostages captured by Hamas militants on October 7 are estimated to be in Gaza, some presumed dead.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Saturday cited the “dangerous situation currently facing Israel” and announced a new deal for Israel after the Senate agreed to a tentative immigration deal scheduled for a vote this week. announced a standalone bill to provide assistance.
Asked Sunday if he would sign the bill if President Joe Biden introduced it, Sullivan dismissed it as a “ruse.”
“We view this maneuver, and the maneuver currently being proposed by the House, as not a serious effort to address the national security challenges facing the United States. '' Sullivan said.
