Haley: Chemical attack could happen in US 'if we're not smart'

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki HaleyNimrata (Nikki) HaleyStone vows to run candidate against Pence if VP makes 2020 bid Anti-Maduro Venezuelans not unlike anti-Castro Cubans of yore Pompeo called to White House after meeting with Bolton, Haley canceled MORE defended U.S. strikes on Syria following a suspected chemical attack in the country, saying on Sunday that a similar attack could happen in the U.S. if precautions are not taken. 

“This very easily could happen in the United States if we're not smart, and if we're not conscious of what's happening," Haley told Chris Wallace  on "Fox News Sunday."

“We have to be very conscious of the fact that we cannot allow even the smallest use of chemical weapons. That's why you saw the president strike this past weekend, that's why you saw him expel 60 Russian spies after the attack in Salisbury," she said, referring to the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter with a nerve agent on British soil last month. 

Haley's comments come days after the U.S., in partnership with France and the U.K., launched over 100 missiles at three targets in Syria.

The attack was aimed at taking out Syria's chemical weapons facilities, though the strikes were limited and reports have already suggested they may have had a minimal impact on Syria's capability.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpCNN's Zucker: Trump 'secretly watching CNN' all day and night GOP candidate behind 'Deportation Bus' loses in gubernatorial bid Penn to Hewitt: Mueller probe born out of ‘hysteria’ MORE declared "mission accomplished" on the strikes, however, and the administration has touted them as having limited Syria's capabilities. 

“We put a heavy blow into their chemical weapons program, setting them back years," Haley told Wallace. 

“Hopefully he’s gotten the message, it was a pretty strong message," she said. 

The strike came nearly a week after an apparent chemical attack took the lives of dozens of Syrian civilians in the rebel-held city of Douma. 

Syrian President Bashar Assad has denied responsibility for the attack, but the White House said the administration has "high confidence" that Damascus was behind the attack.