National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan did not rule out strikes inside Iran after the US on Sunday began airstrikes on Friday It targeted Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria in response to the killing of three American soldiers.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, moderator Kristen Welker asked Sullivan whether the United States should rule out strikes inside Iran.
“Well, I’m not going to sit here today on a national news program and go into what we rule and rule out in terms of military operations,” he said. “What I will say is that the president is determined to respond with force to attacks against our people. The president is also not looking for a wider war in the Middle East.”
“But is that off the table? Are strikes inside Iran off the table?” Welker pressed.
“Still, Kristen, it wouldn’t be smart for me to be sitting here on television talking about what we judge and reject,” he replied.
When Welker asked again, “So you’re not ruling it out?” Sullivan said, “I’ll say the same thing again.”
“I’m not going to get into what’s on and off the table when it comes to America’s response,” he said.