National security adviser Jake Sullivan did not rule out potential strikes inside Iran during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. This comes after the U.S. launched airstrikes targeting Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria in response to the killing of three American soldiers.
Sullivan stated, “The president is determined to respond forcefully to attacks on our people. The president also is not looking for a wider war in the Middle East.” When pressed by moderator Kristen Welker, Sullivan declined to discuss specifics about potential military action, saying, “I’m not going to get into what’s on the table and off the table when it comes to the American response.”
In addition to addressing the situation with Iran, Sullivan also shared that the U.S. does not have a “clear picture” of how many hostages are alive or have died in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Over 130 hostages taken by Hamas militants are estimated to be in Gaza, with some presumed dead.
The growing tensions in the Middle East have also prompted discussions about providing aid to Israel. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a stand-alone bill to provide aid to Israel, but Sullivan dismissed it as a “ploy,” stating, “We regard the ploy … as not being a serious effort to deal with the national security challenges America faces.”
Historically, the relationship between the U.S., Iran, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries has been complex and fraught with conflict. The ongoing tensions reflect the deep-seated geopolitical challenges in the region.
As the situation continues to unfold, the potential for further military action and diplomatic efforts remains a key focus for international relations and national security.
This article was written by Summer Concepcion, a politics reporter for NBC News.