TRUMP CONFRONTS IRAN – AT 9:14 A.M. ET:   President Trump is doing exactly what he said he'd when he ran for president.  He is making it clear to Iran what the limits are.  From Reuters:

Donald Trump tweeted early on Friday that "Iran is playing with fire" and "they don't appreciate how kind President Obama was to them. Not me!"

Trump plans to impose sanctions on several Iranian entities, seeking to ratchet up pressure on Tehran while crafting a broader strategy to counter what he sees as its destabilizing behavior, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Iran's decision to test-fire a ballistic missile on Sunday helped trigger Trump's decision, which could be announced as early as Friday, they said.

In response Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif tweeted that "Iran is unmoved by threats."

Adding that Iran will "never initiate war" and would only rely on its "own means of defense."

COMMENT:  I love that line about Obama.  I love it.  Now President Trump has laid down a marker.  He must enforce his declaration by imposing harsh sanctions.  He must persuade other nations to go along with him, at the risk of damaging their relations with the United States.  He has repairing the massive damage that Barack Obama did.

February 3, 2017