In his first major speech as U.S. secretary of state, Mike Pompeo threatened Iran with the ‘strongest sanctions in history’ and vowed to “crush” the regime’s proxies around the world.



“We will apply unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime. The leaders in Tehran will have no doubt about our seriousness,” Pompeo said on Monday

He demanded Iran withdraw its forces from Syria and end its support for Hezbollah and Hamas adding that the U.S. would be prepared to re-establish relations with Tehran when they could see “tangible and sustained shifts” in Iranian policy.

He issued a list of 12 requirements for such a deal, many of which Iran would be unlikely to agree to.

In response to the speech, a senior Iranian official said that Pompeo’s remarks show the U.S. is after a regime change in Iran.

RT reports: Speaking at the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing Washington think tank, Pompeo laid out a list of 12 “basic requirements” for Iran. The demands call on Iran to withdraw from Syria, “release all US citizens,” end support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, stop “enrichment” of uranium, and promise never to process plutonium. Iran must also allow “unqualified access to all nuclear sites throughout the country,” Pompeo said.

He promised that the US would impose the “strongest sanctions in history” if Iran failed to comply with these demands.

Pompeo said that “the sting of sanctions will be painful” and Iran will struggle to “keep its economy alive” if Tehran “does not change its course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen.”

“Thanks to our colleagues at the Department of Treasury, sanctions are going back in full effect and new ones are coming … These will indeed end up being the strongest sanctions in history,” Pompeo said.

The secretary of state also pledged that the US “will track down Iranian operatives and their Hezbollah proxies operating around the world, and we will crush them. Iran will never again have carte blanche to dominate the Middle East.”

Speaking directly to the Iranian people, Pompeo claimed that “President [Hassan] Rouhani and Foreign Minister [Javad] Zarif… are your elected leaders. Are they not the most responsible for your economic struggles?” He added: “The United States believes you deserve better.”

Pompeo also said he’s sure that over time, Washington’s allies will warm to the Trump administration’s now unpopular stance on Iran.

Washington’s strategy is to weaken Iran economically, rather than engage in an actual war, Dr. Said Sadik, Professor of political sociology at the American university of Cairo, told RT in response to Pompeo’s address. “What the [US] is doing now is increase sanctions trying to undermine the power of Iran regionally, economically with the hope that that would lead to unrest and disturbances in Iran, that it would make the Iranian government stop trying to help its allies or extend its influence in the area. This is basically what they want.”

Sadik added: “I don’t think they want a war because war is very expensive and dangerous in this strategic area…What they want is to weaken Iran financially, economically, with the hope that the Iranian government will not be that powerful in the area as it is now.”

The speech comes after Trump announced earlier this month that he was pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to withdraw from the historic accord, which put tight restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani described the US pull-out from the deal as a “historic experience for Iran,” adding that “by exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty.”

Iran says it expects the EU to continue to honor the agreement, despite Washington’s withdrawal from the accord. Inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have repeatedly confirmed that Iran is in full compliance with its obligations under the deal.</s>The Latest: Iran says 'sham' US policy to reap 'ill rewards'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussing strategy on Iran (all times local):

Iran's foreign minister has taken to Twitter to criticize a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that took a hard line on the Islamic Republic.

Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted late Monday that he saw U.S. diplomacy as a "sham" that was "imprisoned by delusions & failed policies."

Zarif wrote: "It repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards."

The Iranian foreign minister noted his country continues to work with Europe on "solutions" after President Donald Trump pulled America out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo on Monday threatened to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Israel's prime minister is praising U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's tough speech on Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Pompeo had outlined a "very strong position" welcomed by Israel. Earlier Monday, Pompeo issued a steep list of demands to be included in a nuclear treaty to replace the deal scuttled by President Donald Trump.

Pompeo said Iran would have to stop the enrichment of uranium and withdraw its forces from Syria. He warned of "the strongest sanctions in history" if Iran doesn't change course.

Netanyahu says, "We believe it's the only policy that can ultimately guarantee the security of the Middle East and peace in our region." Netanyahu called for other countries to follow America's lead.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is offering a series of dramatic potential U.S. concessions to Iran if it agrees to make "major changes."

Pompeo on Monday called for a stronger nuclear agreement with Iran following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 deal.

He says if a deal was reached that satisfies the Trump administration, the U.S. would be willing to lift all economic sanctions. He says the U.S. would restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran and allow it to access advanced technology.

Pompeo says the U.S. would even support the modernization of Iran's economy and help it reintegrate into the global financial system.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is threatening to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Pompeo on Monday called for a new nuclear agreement with Iran following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. He says the Trump administration prefers for it to be a treaty that is ratified by Congress.

Pompeo is laying out an onerous list of 12 "basic requirements" demands on Iran that he says should be included. He says Iran must "stop enrichment" of uranium and never preprocess plutonium. Iran must also allow nuclear "unqualified access to all sites throughout the country."

Pompeo says Iran must also "release all U.S. citizens," end support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, "withdraw all forces" from Syria and stop threatening Israel.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Iran nuclear deal was "a loser" with huge repercussions throughout the Middle East.

Pompeo is defending President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 deal during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He's laying out the Trump administration's strategy for ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing a better deal.

Pompeo says Iran "advanced its march across the Middle East" since the 2015 deal was enacted. He says the Obama administration "made a bet" that Iran would stop rogue actions and adhere to global norms.

Pompeo says Trump withdrew because the deal failed to guarantee Americans safety from the risks posed by Iran. He says the deal "put the world at risk because of its fatal flaws."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is laying out the Trump administration's strategy for constraining Iran's nuclear program and opposing its other behavior in the region following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo will present the approach during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. It's Pompeo's first major policy speech since starting as top U.S. diplomat.

The speech comes a week after Trump announced he was pulling out of the deal struck by President Barack Obama, Iran and world powers. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to scuttle that deal.

Pompeo is expected to call for those same allies and other nations to join the U.S. in ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing what Trump has described as a "better deal."</s>WASHINGTON >> The United States on Monday issued a steep list of demands to be included in a nuclear treaty with Iran to replace the deal scuttled by President Donald Trump and threatened “the strongest sanctions in history” if Iran doesn’t change course.

Drawing sharp contrasts with the 2015 deal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a stronger pact should require that Iran stop enrichment of uranium, which was allowed within strict limitations under the previous deal. Iran would also have to walk away from core pillars of its foreign policy, including its involvement in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

“This list may seem long to some, but it is simply a reflection of the massive scope of Iranian malign behavior,” Pompeo said. “America did not create this need for changed behavior. Iran did.”

Pompeo vowed that Trump’s approach would ensure “Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon, ever.” As he called for a better agreement to constrain Iran’s activities, he said the U.S. would “apply unprecedented financial pressure” to bring Tehran back to the table.

“These will end up being the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are complete,” Pompeo said at the conservative Heritage Foundation in his first major policy speech since taking over as top diplomat.

At the same time, Pompeo offered Iran a series of dramatic potential U.S. concessions if it agrees to make “major changes.” Under a new agreement, the U.S. would be willing to lift all sanctions, restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran, and even support the modernization of its economy, Pompeo said.

“It is America’s hope that our labors toward peace and security will bear fruit for the long-suffering people of Iran,” Pompeo said.

Still, Pompeo’s list of 12 requirements included many that Iran is highly unlikely to consider. He said Iran must allow nuclear “unqualified access to all sites throughout the country,” Pompeo said, alluding to military sites that were off-limits under the 2015 deal except under specific circumstances. To that end, he also said Iran must declare all previous efforts to build a nuclear weapon, reopening an issue that the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency has already deemed a closed matter.

Pompeo also demanded that Iran cease from a range of activities throughout the Middle East that have long drawn the ire of the U.S. and its allies. He said Iran must end support for Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen, “withdraw all forces” from Syria, halt support for its ally Hezbollah and stop threatening Israel.

Iran must also “release all U.S. citizens” missing in Iran or being held on “spurious charges,” he said.

Taken together, the demands would constitute a wholesale transformation by Iran’s government, and they hardened the perception that what Trump’s administration really seeks is a change in the Iranian regime. A longtime Iran hawk, Pompeo has spoken positively about regime change in the past, but in his confirmation hearing last month he sought to soften that stance.

Laying out Trump’s new approach Monday, Pompeo said he couldn’t put a timeline on how long the strategy might take.

“At the end of the day, the Iranian people will get to make their choice about their leadership,” Pompeo said. “If they make the decision quickly, that would be wonderful. If they choose not to do so, we will stay hard at this until we achieve the outcomes that I set forward today.”

In another departure from the Obama administration’s approach, Pompeo said that “a treaty is our preferred way to go.” Former President Barack Obama did not seek a Senate-ratified treaty with Iran because of the dim prospects for getting approval from a Republican-run Congress.

Pompeo’s speech came after Trump earlier this month infuriated U.S. allies in Europe by withdrawing from the 2015 deal brokered by President Barack Obama, Iran and world powers. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to scuttle that deal and are now scrambling to keep the deal alive even without the U.S.

But the Trump administration has held out hope that those same allies will put aside that frustration and work with the U.S. to ramp pressure back up on Iran through sanctions in a bid to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table for a stronger deal.

Pompeo said he understood that Trump’s decision “will pose financial and economic difficulties for a number of our friends.” But he warned them that the U.S. planned to follow through with threats to punish European companies that continue doing business with Iran that is allowed under the deal but will violate reimposed U.S. sanctions.

“I know our allies in Europe may try to keep the old nuclear deal going with Tehran. That is their decision to make,” Pompeo said. “They know where we stand.”

Associated Press writer Matthew Pennington contributed to this report.</s>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned Tehran would be hit with the "strongest sanctions in history" and cautioned European firms against continuing to do business with it, toughening up Washington's policy line after its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

In his first major foreign policy address since moving to the State Department from the CIA, the longtime Iran hawk and ardent opponent of the 2015 nuclear pact outlined an aggressive series of moves designed to counter Tehran, which he called the world's top sponsor of terror.

"We will apply unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime. The leaders in Tehran will have no doubt about our seriousness," Pompeo said in a speech at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank.

"This sting of sanctions will be painful if the regime does not change its course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen to one that rejoins the league of nations."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani quickly dismissed the threats, saying the rest of the world no longer accepts Washington making decisions on their behalf.

"Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?" Rouhani said in a statement carried by multiple Iranian news agencies.

"The world today does not accept that the United States decides for the world. Countries have their independence," he added.

Pompeo said if Iran were to abide by stricter terms, including ending its ballistic missile program and its interventions in regional conflicts from Yemen to Syria, the United States would lift its new sanctions.

President Donald Trump has long said the 2015 deal with Iran -- also signed by Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- did not go far enough, and now wants the Europeans and others to support his hardline strategy.

The deal was designed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The international community, including top US officials, have said Tehran had been in compliance.

But Trump despised the deal, pointing to other aspects of Iranian behavior not covered in the pact, and on May 8 he pulled America out despite intense diplomatic lobbying by European allies who had beseeched him to stick with it by adding tougher new elements.

Instead of suggesting a re-negotiation of the Iran deal, Pompeo outlined 12 tough conditions from Washington for any "new deal" with Tehran to make sure it "will never again have carte blanche to dominate the Middle East."

These essentially address every aspect of Iran's missile program and what the US calls its "malign influence" across the region, including support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah and Huthi rebels in Yemen.

"It must cease its threatening behavior against its neighbors," Pompeo said.

Rouhani compared the comments as akin to those made by the administration of George W. Bush ahead of the 2003 Iraq invasion.

"The era of such statements has evolved and the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer pays attention," Rouhani added.

Iran foe Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Pompeo's speech, and urged the rest of the world to follow suit.

"The US policy is correct. Iran is spreading aggressively throughout the Middle East. It aspires to achieve nuclear weapons by various means," Netanyahu said.

European allies heard how Pompeo expects their support for the new US plan -- but he offered nothing in return, and threatened economic fallout for anyone still dealing with the Islamic Republic.

"We understand that our re-imposition of sanctions and the coming pressure campaign on the Iranian regime will pose financial and economic difficulties for a number of our friends," he said.

"We want to hear their concerns. But you know, we will hold those doing prohibited business in Iran to account."

The re-establishment of US sanctions will force European companies to choose between investing in Iran or trading with the United States.

In reality, there is no choice -- European companies cannot afford to forsake the US market.

For now, the European Union is trying to persuade Iran to stay in the 2015 agreement, even without Washington's participation.

Russia and China have also criticized the US move and vowed to maintain trade with Iran.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the sort of "jumbo Iran deal" Pompeo envisioned would not be "very easy to achieve in anything like a reasonable timescale."

And the EU's foreign policy chief said there was "no alternative" to the Iran nuclear deal.

"Secretary Pompeo's speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA (nuclear deal) has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran's conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA," Federica Mogherini said.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, attending a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Buenos Aires, said he was not surprised by Pompeo's critique of the Iran deal, before adding: "We do not see at this time a better alternative."

Maas said he will travel to Washington to talk with Pompeo this week.

"We believe that without this agreement, we would take the risk that Iran resumes its nuclear program," he said.

Critics rounded on Pompeo's speech, saying his demands could have been made without pulling America from the nuclear deal.

"Pompeo has not outlined a strategy, but rather a grab bag of wishful thinking that can only be interpreted as a call for regime change in Iran," Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings' Center for Middle East Policy wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the military was weighing "new actions" to counter Iran's influence in the Middle East, but he stressed this was part of a "whole of government" approach and offered no details.</s>The Latest: Iran says 'sham' US policy to reap 'ill rewards'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussing strategy on Iran (all times local):

Iran's foreign minister has taken to Twitter to criticize a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that took a hard line on the Islamic Republic.

Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted late Monday that he saw U.S. diplomacy as a "sham" that was "imprisoned by delusions & failed policies."

Zarif wrote: "It repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards."

The Iranian foreign minister noted his country continues to work with Europe on "solutions" after President Donald Trump pulled America out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo on Monday threatened to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Israel's prime minister is praising U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's tough speech on Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Pompeo had outlined a "very strong position" welcomed by Israel. Earlier Monday, Pompeo issued a steep list of demands to be included in a nuclear treaty to replace the deal scuttled by President Donald Trump.

Pompeo said Iran would have to stop the enrichment of uranium and withdraw its forces from Syria. He warned of "the strongest sanctions in history" if Iran doesn't change course.

Netanyahu says, "We believe it's the only policy that can ultimately guarantee the security of the Middle East and peace in our region." Netanyahu called for other countries to follow America's lead.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is offering a series of dramatic potential U.S. concessions to Iran if it agrees to make "major changes."

Pompeo on Monday called for a stronger nuclear agreement with Iran following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 deal.

He says if a deal was reached that satisfies the Trump administration, the U.S. would be willing to lift all economic sanctions. He says the U.S. would restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran and allow it to access advanced technology.

Pompeo says the U.S. would even support the modernization of Iran's economy and help it reintegrate into the global financial system.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is threatening to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Pompeo on Monday called for a new nuclear agreement with Iran following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. He says the Trump administration prefers for it to be a treaty that is ratified by Congress.

Pompeo is laying out an onerous list of 12 "basic requirements" demands on Iran that he says should be included. He says Iran must "stop enrichment" of uranium and never preprocess plutonium. Iran must also allow nuclear "unqualified access to all sites throughout the country."

Pompeo says Iran must also "release all U.S. citizens," end support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, "withdraw all forces" from Syria and stop threatening Israel.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Iran nuclear deal was "a loser" with huge repercussions throughout the Middle East.

Pompeo is defending President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 deal during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He's laying out the Trump administration's strategy for ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing a better deal.

Pompeo says Iran "advanced its march across the Middle East" since the 2015 deal was enacted. He says the Obama administration "made a bet" that Iran would stop rogue actions and adhere to global norms.

Pompeo says Trump withdrew because the deal failed to guarantee Americans safety from the risks posed by Iran. He says the deal "put the world at risk because of its fatal flaws."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is laying out the Trump administration's strategy for constraining Iran's nuclear program and opposing its other behavior in the region following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo will present the approach during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. It's Pompeo's first major policy speech since starting as top U.S. diplomat.

The speech comes a week after Trump announced he was pulling out of the deal struck by President Barack Obama, Iran and world powers. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to scuttle that deal.

Pompeo is expected to call for those same allies and other nations to join the U.S. in ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing what Trump has described as a "better deal."</s>The Latest: Iran says 'sham' US policy to reap 'ill rewards'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussing strategy on Iran (all times local):

Iran's foreign minister has taken to Twitter to criticize a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that took a hard line on the Islamic Republic.

Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted late Monday that he saw U.S. diplomacy as a "sham" that was "imprisoned by delusions & failed policies."

Zarif wrote: "It repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards."

The Iranian foreign minister noted his country continues to work with Europe on "solutions" after President Donald Trump pulled America out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo on Monday threatened to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Israel's prime minister is praising U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's tough speech on Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Pompeo had outlined a "very strong position" welcomed by Israel. Earlier Monday, Pompeo issued a steep list of demands to be included in a nuclear treaty to replace the deal scuttled by President Donald Trump.

Pompeo said Iran would have to stop the enrichment of uranium and withdraw its forces from Syria. He warned of "the strongest sanctions in history" if Iran doesn't change course.

Netanyahu says, "We believe it's the only policy that can ultimately guarantee the security of the Middle East and peace in our region." Netanyahu called for other countries to follow America's lead.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is offering a series of dramatic potential U.S. concessions to Iran if it agrees to make "major changes."

Pompeo on Monday called for a stronger nuclear agreement with Iran following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 deal.

He says if a deal was reached that satisfies the Trump administration, the U.S. would be willing to lift all economic sanctions. He says the U.S. would restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran and allow it to access advanced technology.

Pompeo says the U.S. would even support the modernization of Iran's economy and help it reintegrate into the global financial system.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is threatening to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Pompeo on Monday called for a new nuclear agreement with Iran following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. He says the Trump administration prefers for it to be a treaty that is ratified by Congress.

Pompeo is laying out an onerous list of 12 "basic requirements" demands on Iran that he says should be included. He says Iran must "stop enrichment" of uranium and never preprocess plutonium. Iran must also allow nuclear "unqualified access to all sites throughout the country."

Pompeo says Iran must also "release all U.S. citizens," end support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, "withdraw all forces" from Syria and stop threatening Israel.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Iran nuclear deal was "a loser" with huge repercussions throughout the Middle East.

Pompeo is defending President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 deal during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He's laying out the Trump administration's strategy for ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing a better deal.

Pompeo says Iran "advanced its march across the Middle East" since the 2015 deal was enacted. He says the Obama administration "made a bet" that Iran would stop rogue actions and adhere to global norms.

Pompeo says Trump withdrew because the deal failed to guarantee Americans safety from the risks posed by Iran. He says the deal "put the world at risk because of its fatal flaws."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is laying out the Trump administration's strategy for constraining Iran's nuclear program and opposing its other behavior in the region following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo will present the approach during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. It's Pompeo's first major policy speech since starting as top U.S. diplomat.

The speech comes a week after Trump announced he was pulling out of the deal struck by President Barack Obama, Iran and world powers. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to scuttle that deal.

Pompeo is expected to call for those same allies and other nations to join the U.S. in ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing what Trump has described as a "better deal."</s>The Latest: Iran says 'sham' US policy to reap 'ill rewards'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussing strategy on Iran (all times local):

Iran's foreign minister has taken to Twitter to criticize a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that took a hard line on the Islamic Republic.

Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted late Monday that he saw U.S. diplomacy as a "sham" that was "imprisoned by delusions & failed policies."

Zarif wrote: "It repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards."

The Iranian foreign minister noted his country continues to work with Europe on "solutions" after President Donald Trump pulled America out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo on Monday threatened to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Israel's prime minister is praising U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's tough speech on Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Pompeo had outlined a "very strong position" welcomed by Israel. Earlier Monday, Pompeo issued a steep list of demands to be included in a nuclear treaty to replace the deal scuttled by President Donald Trump.

Pompeo said Iran would have to stop the enrichment of uranium and withdraw its forces from Syria. He warned of "the strongest sanctions in history" if Iran doesn't change course.

Netanyahu says, "We believe it's the only policy that can ultimately guarantee the security of the Middle East and peace in our region." Netanyahu called for other countries to follow America's lead.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is offering a series of dramatic potential U.S. concessions to Iran if it agrees to make "major changes."

Pompeo on Monday called for a stronger nuclear agreement with Iran following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 deal.

He says if a deal was reached that satisfies the Trump administration, the U.S. would be willing to lift all economic sanctions. He says the U.S. would restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran and allow it to access advanced technology.

Pompeo says the U.S. would even support the modernization of Iran's economy and help it reintegrate into the global financial system.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is threatening to place "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if its government doesn't change course.

Pompeo on Monday called for a new nuclear agreement with Iran following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. He says the Trump administration prefers for it to be a treaty that is ratified by Congress.

Pompeo is laying out an onerous list of 12 "basic requirements" demands on Iran that he says should be included. He says Iran must "stop enrichment" of uranium and never preprocess plutonium. Iran must also allow nuclear "unqualified access to all sites throughout the country."

Pompeo says Iran must also "release all U.S. citizens," end support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, "withdraw all forces" from Syria and stop threatening Israel.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Iran nuclear deal was "a loser" with huge repercussions throughout the Middle East.

Pompeo is defending President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 deal during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He's laying out the Trump administration's strategy for ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing a better deal.

Pompeo says Iran "advanced its march across the Middle East" since the 2015 deal was enacted. He says the Obama administration "made a bet" that Iran would stop rogue actions and adhere to global norms.

Pompeo says Trump withdrew because the deal failed to guarantee Americans safety from the risks posed by Iran. He says the deal "put the world at risk because of its fatal flaws."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is laying out the Trump administration's strategy for constraining Iran's nuclear program and opposing its other behavior in the region following President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pompeo will present the approach during a speech Monday at the conservative Heritage Foundation. It's Pompeo's first major policy speech since starting as top U.S. diplomat.

The speech comes a week after Trump announced he was pulling out of the deal struck by President Barack Obama, Iran and world powers. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to scuttle that deal.

Pompeo is expected to call for those same allies and other nations to join the U.S. in ramping up pressure on Iran in hopes of securing what Trump has described as a "better deal."</s>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday that he will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss Washington's position on the nuclear deal with Iran.

The Trump administration on Monday demanded that Iran make wholesale changes in its military and regional policies or face "the strongest sanctions in history."

The comments came as Washington tries to increase pressure on Tehran after President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the international nuclear deal.

"I will travel on to Washington and meet Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, and use the opportunity to talk to him directly about this," Maas said when he was asked by reporter about the Iran deal at the end of a Group of 20 meeting in Argentina's capital.

In a speech Monday, Pompeo called Iran out for a wide range of "malign activities" apart from its nuclear program and demanded the negotiation of a new deal that goes far beyond the single focus of the 2015 agreement and that would have the status of a formal treaty.

The 2015 deal concluded under the Obama administration dealt only with the nuclear program and was not a treaty but rather a U.N.-endorsed executive agreement between the parties.

Maas said Germany was not surprised by Pompeo's speech because it "contained many elements" of the statement issued by Trump.

"Iran is in our wider neighborhood, and since we don't see any better alternative at present, this is why we don't want to leave the deal," Haas said. "We don't want Iran to engage in a nuclear weapons program. This affects immediate security interests of Germany and security interests of Europe."

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter on Monday to criticize Pompeo's speech, calling U.S. diplomacy a "sham" that is "imprisoned by delusions & failed policies."</s>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday that he will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss Washington's position on the nuclear deal with Iran.

The Trump administration on Monday demanded that Iran make wholesale changes in its military and regional policies or face "the strongest sanctions in history."

The comments came as Washington tries to increase pressure on Tehran after President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the international nuclear deal.

"I will travel on to Washington and meet Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, and use the opportunity to talk to him directly about this," Maas said when he was asked by reporter about the Iran deal at the end of a Group of 20 meeting in Argentina's capital.

In a speech Monday, Pompeo called Iran out for a wide range of "malign activities" apart from its nuclear program and demanded the negotiation of a new deal that goes far beyond the single focus of the 2015 agreement and that would have the status of a formal treaty.

The 2015 deal concluded under the Obama administration dealt only with the nuclear program and was not a treaty but rather a U.N.-endorsed executive agreement between the parties.

Maas said Germany was not surprised by Pompeo's speech because it "contained many elements" of the statement issued by Trump.

"Iran is in our wider neighborhood, and since we don't see any better alternative at present, this is why we don't want to leave the deal," Haas said. "We don't want Iran to engage in a nuclear weapons program. This affects immediate security interests of Germany and security interests of Europe."

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter on Monday to criticize Pompeo's speech, calling U.S. diplomacy a "sham" that is "imprisoned by delusions & failed policies."</s>WASHINGTON >> The United States on Monday issued a steep list of demands to be included in a nuclear treaty with Iran to replace the deal scuttled by President Donald Trump and threatened “the strongest sanctions in history” if Iran doesn’t change course.

Drawing sharp contrasts with the 2015 deal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a stronger pact should require that Iran stop enrichment of uranium, which was allowed within strict limitations under the previous deal. Iran would also have to walk away from core pillars of its foreign policy, including its involvement in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

“This list may seem long to some, but it is simply a reflection of the massive scope of Iranian malign behavior,” Pompeo said. “America did not create this need for changed behavior. Iran did.”

Pompeo vowed that Trump’s approach would ensure “Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon, ever.” As he called for a better agreement to constrain Iran’s activities, he said the U.S. would “apply unprecedented financial pressure” to bring Tehran back to the table.

“These will end up being the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are complete,” Pompeo said at the conservative Heritage Foundation in his first major policy speech since taking over as top diplomat.

At the same time, Pompeo offered Iran a series of dramatic potential U.S. concessions if it agrees to make “major changes.” Under a new agreement, the U.S. would be willing to lift all sanctions, restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran, and even support the modernization of its economy, Pompeo said.

“It is America’s hope that our labors toward peace and security will bear fruit for the long-suffering people of Iran,” Pompeo said.

Still, Pompeo’s list of 12 requirements included many that Iran is highly unlikely to consider. He said Iran must allow nuclear “unqualified access to all sites throughout the country,” Pompeo said, alluding to military sites that were off-limits under the 2015 deal except under specific circumstances. To that end, he also said Iran must declare all previous efforts to build a nuclear weapon, reopening an issue that the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency has already deemed a closed matter.

Pompeo also demanded that Iran cease from a range of activities throughout the Middle East that have long drawn the ire of the U.S. and its allies. He said Iran must end support for Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen, “withdraw all forces” from Syria, halt support for its ally Hezbollah and stop threatening Israel.

Iran must also “release all U.S. citizens” missing in Iran or being held on “spurious charges,” he said.

Taken together, the demands would constitute a wholesale transformation by Iran’s government, and they hardened the perception that what Trump’s administration really seeks is a change in the Iranian regime. A longtime Iran hawk, Pompeo has spoken positively about regime change in the past, but in his confirmation hearing last month he sought to soften that stance.

Laying out Trump’s new approach Monday, Pompeo said he couldn’t put a timeline on how long the strategy might take.

“At the end of the day, the Iranian people will get to make their choice about their leadership,” Pompeo said. “If they make the decision quickly, that would be wonderful. If they choose not to do so, we will stay hard at this until we achieve the outcomes that I set forward today.”

In another departure from the Obama administration’s approach, Pompeo said that “a treaty is our preferred way to go.” Former President Barack Obama did not seek a Senate-ratified treaty with Iran because of the dim prospects for getting approval from a Republican-run Congress.

Pompeo’s speech came after Trump earlier this month infuriated U.S. allies in Europe by withdrawing from the 2015 deal brokered by President Barack Obama, Iran and world powers. Europeans allies had pleaded with Trump not to scuttle that deal and are now scrambling to keep the deal alive even without the U.S.

But the Trump administration has held out hope that those same allies will put aside that frustration and work with the U.S. to ramp pressure back up on Iran through sanctions in a bid to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table for a stronger deal.

Pompeo said he understood that Trump’s decision “will pose financial and economic difficulties for a number of our friends.” But he warned them that the U.S. planned to follow through with threats to punish European companies that continue doing business with Iran that is allowed under the deal but will violate reimposed U.S. sanctions.

“I know our allies in Europe may try to keep the old nuclear deal going with Tehran. That is their decision to make,” Pompeo said. “They know where we stand.”

Associated Press writer Matthew Pennington contributed to this report.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. will impose "the strongest sanctions in history" on Iran if it does not meet various demands, including ending its nuclear program and leaving the Syrian Civil War.