Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Sunday that President Trump wouldn’t be cowed regarding the Iran nuclear deal, despite intense international pressure to uphold the agreement.
The Trump administration agrees that Iran shouldn’t have nuclear capability. However, Pompeo indicated that he doesn’t believe that deal inked by former President Barack Obama is the best way to ensure that goal.
“We will continue to work with our European allies to fix that deal. But if a deal cannot be reached, the president has said that he will leave that deal,” Pompeo said during a news briefing in Saudi Arabia.
Pompeo was just confirmed in his new role last Thursday. He’s already becoming one of the most visible members of the administration.
“Unlike the prior administration, we will not neglect the vast scope of Iran’s terrorism… It is indeed the greatest sponsor of terrorism in the world, and we are determined to make sure it never possesses a nuclear weapon,” he said before flying to Israel.
President Trump hasn’t been shy about criticizing the deal. Western Europe leaders, meanwhile, are still committed to upholding it. The original accord was signed by Russia, China, France, Germany, England, and the U.S.
“They committed to continue working closely together and with the US on how to tackle the range of challenges that Iran poses — including those issues that a new deal might cover,” reads a statement from British Prime Minister Theresa May’s office.
Trump has until May 12 to make a decision. He can either continue to waive the sanctions that were lifted by the deal or he can re-impose them.
“America is prepared to stand with Saudi Arabia in pursuit of the shared interests and security,” Pompeo said. “The nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush terrorism for them. Muslim nations must be willing to take on that burden.”
(Source: New York Post)