Iran will face "severe consequences" if it attacks any Americans, including 52 people it earlier imposed sanctions on, the White House said on Sunday.
"Yesterday, Iran purported to impose sanctions on 52 Americans. They do so as Iran’s proxy militias continue to attack American troops in the Middle East, and as Iranian officials threaten to carry out terror operations inside the United States and elsewhere around the world," Sullivan said in a statement published by the White House.
"We will work with our allies and partners to deter and respond to any attacks carried out by Iran. Should Iran attack any of our nationals, including any of the 52 people named yesterday, it will face severe consequences," he went on.
On 8 January, Iran imposed sanctions on dozens of Americans, including Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., and former National Security Adviser Robert C. O'Brien, for what Tehran said was their involvement in the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
Soleimani was killed on 3 January 2020 at Baghdad International Airport where he arrived as part of a secret diplomatic mission. His car was hit by US drones under the orders of then-President Trump, who claimed Soleimani had been plotting attacks against American facilities in the region. In response, Iran carried out a rocket attack targeting Iraqi military bases hosting US troops, which did not result in casualties but left some troops injured. Tehran said it was just the beginning and has repeatedly promised to avenge Soleimani's death since then.