U.S. Defense Chief Says Iranian Threats ‘Put on Hold’

By Shahriar Kia

Potential attacks by the Iranian regime have been “put on hold” by US countermeasures, acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday.

The U.S. has warned in recent weeks of a threat from Iran’s regime.

The U.S. has in recent weeks deployed additional warships and military jets to the Gulf, on Iran’s southern coast.

Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon: “I think our steps were very prudent and we’ve put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans and that is what is extremely important.

“I’d say we’re in a period where the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians.”

Last week, four oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman were damaged in what the United Arab Emirates said were sabotage attacks while drone attacks on two oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels – who are supported by Iran’s regime – forced the temporary closure of a pipeline.

There were also reports, citing US and regional security officials, that the Iranian regime had loaded missiles on to boats in Iranian ports and that Iran-backed Iraqi paramilitary fighters had positioned rockets near facilities in Iraq used by US troops.

“I would say to the Iranians: do not underestimate the resolve on the US side,” United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told reporters in Geneva on Monday, BBC News reported. “They don’t want a war with Iran. But if American interests are attacked, they will retaliate.”