Secretary of Defense Mark Esper testifies to a House committee hearing on U.S. policy in Syria, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:27 PM PT — Wednesday, December 11, 2019
U.S. lawmakers are calling for the Trump administration to prioritize counter-terrorism over the cyber threats of Russia and China. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he was rejected when he called U.S. allies to help counter Iran attacks.
The Pentagon created a coalition following a series of Iranian attacks on foreign ships and oil fields this summer, which some allies were against. The Trump administration has been combating Iran’s behavior by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal and enforcing sanctions.
However, Esper said the Department of Defense remains focused on global threats like Russia, as well as its expansion into nations like Turkey and Egypt.
“As reflected in the National Defense Strategy, the Department of Defense prioritizes China, and then Russia, as our nation’s top national security challenges,” stated Secretary Esper. “As we transition our focus towards great power and competition, we must also remain vigilant in countering threats from rogue states like Iran, and violent extremist organizations such as ISIS.”
“We maintain our leadership role in the Defeat-ISIS campaign, which brings together 76 nations and 5 international organizations to provide funding, military capabilities, and political support.”
– @EsperDoD pic.twitter.com/b4dmS12ZfU— Department of Defense ?? (@DeptofDefense) December 11, 2019
The secretary did not mention the countries who rejected him, but several countries have spoken out against the administration’s handling of Iran’s latest threats.
Related: Iran’s Ayatollah Regime Hopes For $5B Lifeline From Russia Amid Sanctions
