Trump blasts Iran, and nuclear deal, after missile tests

close

Video

Iran test-fires missiles in violation of UN rules

The regime warned the U.S. against sparking tension; Jennifer Griffin reports on 'Special Report'

President Trump, in a series of early-morning tweets on Thursday, blasted the Obama administration’s Iran nuclear deal, again putting the Islamic Republic “ON NOTICE.”

Following up on National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s stern public rebuke of Iran on Wednesday for its continued testing of ballistic missiles, Trump lashed out at Iran and the nuclear deal struck by former Secretary of State John Kerry – which has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism.

“Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile. Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them!” Trump tweeted, quickly adding: “Iran was on its last legs and ready to collapse until the U.S. came along and gave it a life-line in the form of the Iran Deal: $150 billion.”

Iran’s most-recent ballistic missile test occurred Sunday, Fox News was the first to learn, and followed a similar test on Dec. 6. Both of the launches appear to be in direct violation of U.N. Resolution 2231, which "calls upon" Iran to not conduct “any activity related to ballistic missiles….including launches using such ballistic missile technology.”

Flynn made a statement prior to Wednesday’s White House press briefing in which he delivered the same warning as Trump, putting Iran “on notice” and criticizing the Obama administration for failing “to respond adequately.”

Moments before his Iran broadside, Trump also saluted U.S. Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens, who died in a firefight with Islamist militants in Yemen over the weekend. Trump journeyed to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday afternoon to meet Owens’ family and receive his remains.

“Attending Chief Ryan Owens’ Dignified Transfer yesterday with my daughter Ivanka was my great honor. To a great and brave man – thank you!”

Trump also publicly congratulated his new secretary of state, businessman Rex Tillerson, who was officially confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday and sworn in.

Tweeted Trump: “He will be a star!”