The U.S. Secretary of State minced no words in a speech in Ventura County focused on Iran and its current government, at one point comparing its leadership to the Mafia.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Sunday night was called “Supporting Iranian Voices.”
It was part of a ping pong series of statements about U-S/Iranian relations which during a 24 hour period would involve the President of Iran and President Trump.
Pompeo accused Iran’s leaders of using that nation’s wealth to enrich themselves, and to fund terrorism.
Much of the U-S, and international concern is focused around Iran’s nuclear weapons development. In 2015, the U.S. and other key nations reached an agreement with Iran to ease economic sanctions if that country would halt nuclear weapons development, and allow verification. But, the Trump Administration pulled out of the deal, saying that Iran isn’t doing enough to meet its end of the agreement. Other nations have been following through on the deal.
Pompeo says the U.S. now wants to push some of the key economic sanctions which were in place against Iran before the treaty, with a goal of totally cutting off Iran’s oil exports.
Pompeo had visited the United Nations on Friday, where he said there would be no sanctions relief until Iran surrenders its nuclear weapons.
Sunday, Iran’s President cautioned that the whole deal could fall apart if the U.S. re-enacts sanctions. Hassan Rouhani warned the U-S, saying, “Do not play with the lion's tail, because you will regret it eternally.” But, President Trump responded late Sunday night, with an all-caps, angry tweet. Trump said “NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN, OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!”
Over the weekend, State Department officials did put some moderation in the messages from the U.S. government. They said the U.S. isn’t pushing for a regime change, but they are seeking changes in the Iranian government’s behavior. A spokesman said the U.S. is driving Iran to make some hard choices.
Pompeo’s speech at the Reagan Library was tightly packaged. He didn’t speak to the media before or after the sold out event. Other issues like North Korea, and Russia didn’t come up during the appearance in Simi Valley.
