News Article:
In an exclusive interview, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the latest developments in the Iran nuclear deal and the military options available to the United States. The conversation took place on the eve of a planned diplomatic effort to resolve the standoff between Washington and Tehran.
According to sources close to the negotiations, President Trump had given European allies two weeks to convince Iran to reverse its nuclear ambitions or face the consequences. Pompeo acknowledged that this ultimatum was part of the deal but emphasized that it was not an immediate threat.
"We are prepared to walk away if we don't see progress," Pompeo said. "The President has made it very clear what he wants: no nuclear weapon, and a commitment to security guarantees for our allies in the region."
Pompeo's comments echoed Trump's previous statements on Iran, which have been marked by a hawkish approach. The US leader has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.
The JCPOA was signed in 2015 and imposed strict limits on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for economic sanctions relief. However, Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018, citing concerns over its fairness and effectiveness.
Pompeo acknowledged that the trust deficit between Washington and Tehran ran deep but stressed that the US was focused on resolving the specific problem of nuclear weaponization, rather than seeking regime change.
"We don't want to see Iran's government go," he said. "We're interested in seeing a stable, democratic society that is committed to non-proliferation."
The US has long been concerned about Iran's military capabilities and its support for terrorist groups in the region. Pompeo acknowledged that the country posed a significant threat but emphasized that diplomacy remained the preferred approach.
"We want to engage with them on this issue because we believe it's in our national interest," he said. "We're not looking to start a war, but we will defend ourselves if necessary."
Pompeo also discussed the role of China and Russia in the Iran crisis, highlighting their interests in maintaining access to Iranian oil markets.
"The Chinese and Russians are getting a lot of these drones that they use are coming from Iran," he noted. "That's why it's so important that we can get them to agree to a peaceful resolution."
The US Secretary of State concluded by emphasizing the importance of international cooperation on non-proliferation issues, citing the threat posed by North Korea and other nations with nuclear ambitions.
"This is not just about Iran," he said. "It's about keeping our allies safe and preventing proliferation around the world."