WH national security adviser: Iran is 'on notice'

President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor Michael Flynn condemned Wednesday Iran's recent ballistic missile test launch, calling it a "provocative" breach of a UN Security Council resolution.

Flynn called the launch the latest in a series of provocative moves by Iran that have included backing Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have attacked US allies.

"As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice," Flynn said from the White House briefing room.

Flynn did not say whether the US would take action beyond a verbal warning, and three senior administration officials, speaking on background, said Wednesday that they are still in the early stages of determining what action the US should take in response.

"We are considering a whole range of options. We're in a deliberative process," one of the officials said.

The administration is considering a range of responses to the ballistic missile test, including financial measures and economic sanctions. The officials said the administration would not take any options off the table, including a military response. They also stressed that a violation of the UN Security Council Resolution on Iranian ballistic missile activity would not impact the Iran nuclear deal.

One of the officials said Flynn's warning on Wednesday delivered from the White House -- one that might typically be issued by diplomats -- was intended to reflect "the level of importance that this administration believes this issue warrants."

Iran's foreign ministry insisted Tuesday that Sunday's missile test was "solely for defensive purposes," and not a violation of the UN Security Council resolution which bars Iran from testing "ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons."