Following National Security Advisor John Bolton's announcement on the deployment of additional U.S. military assets as a "clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime", Secretary of State Pompeo stated that "it is absolutely the case that we've seen escalatory action from the Iranians, and it is equally the case that we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests". Pompeo added that "the Iranians understand exactly what our view is of the threats that they're posing to U.S. interests around the world". Acting Secretary of Defence Shanahan described the moves as "a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces", further declaring that "we call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation. We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on U.S. forces or our interests".