US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday laid out the Donald Trump administration’s new Iran strategy following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal earlier this month. Pompeo called for US allies and partners to work with Washington to exert “maximum pressure” on Iran and outlined 12 objectives Tehran would have to meet to free itself of stringent US sanctions. Pompeo’s demands include an end to all uranium enrichment, ballistic missile testing and support to Iranian proxy forces throughout the region.
The maximalist campaign, however, risks running into resistance from European efforts to shield their banks and firms from US sanctions and divisions within the Gulf Cooperation Council on how far to confront Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said today, “The world today does not accept that the United States decides for the world. Countries have their independence.” Read More