The timing of a report including leaks about Iranian officials having discussed attacking Washington’s Fort McNair base has raised many questions about what kind of message the Biden administration is looking to send the regime in Tehran.
First uncovered in communications intercepted back in January, the plot revealed by the report was likely to be executed on the first anniversary of the killing of Iran’s Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani.
The communications also revealed threats against Gen. Joseph M. Martin, whose official residence is on the base.
According to the report, Iran “may have misjudged the Biden administration's position.”
Several reports prepared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and specialized research centers have been published on the impact of US sanctions on Iran’s economy and society.
In a report by the US-based National Public Radio (NPR), US commentators overwhelmingly upheld the belief that the final block stopping Washington and Tehran from returning to negotiations is who makes concessions first.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense did not respond to questions from Asharq Al-Awsat on whether the threat to Fort McNair was serious or not, and if any arrests have been made.
But National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan shot back at Iran on Monday over the reported plans to launch a lethal attack against the US army base, saying there will be “profound cost” if Iran goes that far.
“President Joe Biden takes absolutely seriously the threat that Iran poses to individuals, to personnel, to facilities, and to American interests in the region and here in the US,” said Sullivan during a television interview with MSNBC.
“We will take steps to ensure that we are defending and protecting ourselves and making clear to Iran the profound cost that would come if they came down that line,” Sullivan added.
Biden, on March 3, extended national emergency and comprehensive sanctions against Iran for another year, stating that Iran poses “an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the US.”
