U.S. Defence Secretary says Iran continues to sponsor terrorism

Iran has continued to behave as an exporter of terrorism and still sponsors militant activities, U.S. Defence Secretary, James Mattis, says on Friday in London.

When asked about comments he made in 2012 — that the three primary threats the United States faced were Iran, Iran, Iran — Mattis said “Iran’s behaviour had not changed in the years since.

“At the time when I spoke about Iran I was a commander of U.S. central command and Iran was the primary exporter of terrorism.

“Frankly, it was the primary state sponsor of terrorism and it continued that kind of behaviour up until today.”

Mattis also said that North Korea was acting in a reckless manner and must be stopped.

In reply to a question about the potential threat to the U.S. from ballistic missiles, he said “this is a threat of both rhetoric and growing capability, and we will be working with the international community to address this; we are doing so right now.

“Right now, it appears to be going in a very reckless manner in what its conduct is portraying the future and that’s got to be stopped.”

The U.S. is concerned about Russia’s presence in Afghanistan and its interactions with Taliban fighters, the defence secretary said.

He noted that “we have seen Russian activity vis-à-vis the Taliban.

“I’m not going to say at this point if that has manifested into weapons and that sort of thing, but certainly what they’re up to there in light of their other activities gives us concern.”

Mattis added that he had not yet decided whether to recommend an increase in U.S. troop numbers in Afghanistan or not.