US President Bush has authorized Americab forces in Iraq to take whatever actions are needed to counter Iranian agents deemed a threat to American troops or the public at large, the White House said Friday.
"It makes sense that if somebody's trying to harm our troops, or stop us from achieving our goal, or killing innocent citizens in Iraq, that we will stop them," Bush said. "It's an obligation we all have ... to protect our folks and achieve our goal."
The new policy came in response to intelligence that Iran is supporting armed group inside Iraq. "The president and his national security team over the last several months have continued to receive information that Iranians were supplying IED equipment and or training that was being used to harm American soldiers," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"As a result American forces, when they receive actionable information, may take the steps necessary to protect themselves as well as the population," Johndroe said.
On Friday, Bush was asked about stepped-up activities in Iraq against Iranian activities. According to the AP, he defended the policy, but said it is no indication that the United States intends to expand the confrontation beyond Iraq's borders. "That's a presumption that's simply not accurate," Bush said. But added: "Our policy is going to be to protect our troops. It makes sense."
