Kicking off NBC Nightly News on Wednesday, the network seemed to bizarrely come out against the Donald Trump administration for “officially putting Iran on notice” following an unsanctioned ballistic missile test on Sunday that violated UN resolutions. “National Security Adviser Michael Flynn accusing the Iranians of defying the UN. Did they do it?,” questioned anchor Lester Holt in the opening tease. Kristen Welker’s entire report cast doubt on the administration’s claims while warning of a dire outcome.
“But the tough and surprise warning delivered by the president's national security adviser today threatens to put the administration at odds with other members of the UN Security council, which contrary to the White House, has not thus far declared the missile test a violation,” Holt continued as he handed the story off to Welker.
“At issue, a series of provocations, including Iran launching a ballistic missile test on Sunday,” Welker reported before throwing up a red flag, “Flynn accusing Iran of violating a UN resolution on ballistic missiles, even though the UN is still assessing the situation.”
In Flynn’s statement, he chastised the former Obama administration for doing nothing the stem Iranian aggression against the United States and our allies in the region. But Welker seemed to try and write off fears of the rogue nation and parroted its talking points. “Iran said on Tuesday it wasn't a violation and it would never use its ballistic missiles to attack another country,” she repeated.
Welker noted that “National security experts warn, escalating tensions with Iran could have serious consequences.” In an interview with Welker, former Ambassador to NATO Nick Burns pooh-poohed the White House’s tough stance, saying, “I just think that while we need to be very tough-minded and contain Iran, there are more ways to achieve this objective than starting out the administration on such a bellicose, threatening way.”
But there was no mention of Iran’s own increasingly bellicose campaign to force dangerous encounters with US Naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been on the rise since the signing of the Iran Nuclear Deal. NBC has a proven track record of ignoring Iranian aggression towards the US since time and time and time again they blacked out such harassment of our ships.
They even blacked out an admission from Obama’s State Department that the Iranian Deal was ineffective in stopping such events. The network also hid revelations that Obama paid a ransom to Iran in exchange for American hostages. NBC only gave 28 seconds to the story while giving five minutes, 20 seconds to the lying Olympic swimmers.
Transcript below:
<<< Please support MRC's NewsBusters team with a tax-deductible contribution today. >>>
NBC Nightly News
February 1, 2017
7:00:20 PN Eastern[Tease]
LESTER HOLT: Breaking news tonight, the White House putting Iran on notice. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn accusing the Iranians of defying the UN. Did they do it? The Trump administration not taking military options off the table.
…
7:01:20 PM Eastern
HOLT: Good evening. The White House tonight is putting Iran on notice and taking no option off the table in response to Iran's test this week of an unarmed ballistic missile, calling it a violation of a UN nuclear accord, a provocation and destabilizing. But the tough and surprise warning delivered by the president's national security adviser today threatens to put the administration at odds with other members of the UN Security council, which contrary to the White House, has not thus far declared the missile test a violation. White House correspondent Kristen Welker has late details.
[Cuts to video]
KRISTEN WELKER: A surprise at the White House briefing. President Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn unleashing a stern warning to American adversary Iran.
MICHAEL FLYNN: As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice.
WELKER: At issue, a series of provocations, including Iran launching a ballistic missile test on Sunday. Flynn accusing Iran of violating a UN resolution on ballistic missiles, even though the UN is still assessing the situation. Late this afternoon, a senior administration official said they’re considering retaliating and wouldn't rule out economic sanctions or even military action.
FLYNN: Iran continues to threaten US friends and allies in the region. The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran's malign actions. The Trump administration condemns such actions.
WELKER: Iran said on Tuesday it wasn't a violation and it would never use its ballistic missiles to attack another country. The State Department telling NBC News it was informed about Flynn's statements ahead of time but not fully briefed. The diplomatic drama happening just an hour before President Trump's new secretary of state was confirmed. National security experts warn, escalating tensions with Iran could have serious consequences.
NICK BURNS: I just think that while we need to be very tough-minded and contain Iran, there are more ways to achieve this objective than starting out the administration on such a bellicose, threatening way.
WELKER: As a candidate, Mr. Trump railed against the Obama administration for not being tougher with Tehran. Today's actions could be indicative of a new tone.
JUAN ZARATE: The statement is a signal of that rupture, that change in policy towards a more confrontational, a more aggressive stance towards Iran and its activities.
[Cuts back to live]
WELKER: Late tonight, military officials tell NBC News the military has not changed its posture in response to Iran testing a ballistic missile. The White House giving no indication how long its review process will take or when it could decide to take action. Lester?
HOLT: Kristen Welker, staring us off at the White House. Thank you.
