The Trump administration had justified the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq by claiming there was an „imminent threat“ to U.S. personnel and facilities in the region.
Also appearing on CNN’s „State of the Union“ Sunday, Esper defended the killing of Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike.
„The bottom line is we had exquisite intelligence that can only be shared with the ‘Gang of Eight,'“ he said.
Esper added one of the briefers of the congressional leaders told him „that most, nearly all the members of the Gang of Eight believed that the intelligence was persuasive as well and that it should not be shared with the broader membership because of the concerns that it could be released, reveal our sources and methods.“
Asked why the president had shared information about threats against four embassies in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Esper said that it was Trump’s „prerogative.“
Now that Soleimani is dead, the „threat has been disrupted,“ Esper said. „In fact, a very, very senior person from the intelligence community said the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of action. That was compelling for me.“
Asked if other Iranian leaders are still potential targets, Esper demurred.
„We will exercise everything we need to do to protect the American people, to protect our forces, to protect our embassy,“ he said.
Source: politico.com
See more here: news365.stream
