Trump Defends Iran Sanctions: ‘They’re Not Behaving’

Declaration comes during Oval Office ceremony

Donald Trump Oval Office
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President Donald Trump on Friday defended his decision to issue new sanctions against Iran following a test-firing of a medium-range ballistic missile.

“They’re not behaving,” the president said toward the end of an Oval Office signing ceremony in which he issued new executive orders on financial regulations.

Earlier on Friday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer suggested that more sanctions, and possibly even military action, are being considered.

“He doesn’t like to telegraph his options,” Spicer said. “I would never rule anything off the table.”

National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had signaled a shift in the administration’s approach to Iran earlier in the week.  “Iran is now feeling emboldened,” he said Wednesday. “As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice.”

(For the record: A previous version of this post misinterpreted the White House pool report from the Oval Office ceremony.)

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