Mike Pompeo has issued a stark warning to Iran (Image: GETTY)
The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against US interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive US response
Mike Pompeo
Mr Pompeo said threats from Iran had escalated in recent weeks and he warned Tehran against inflaming the situation still further. In a statement issued today, Mr Pompeo said: “The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against US interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive US response.” Mr Pompeo’s warnings came two days after Iran threatened to resume work to develop nuclear weapons if signatories to a landmark 2015 agreement failed to protect its economy from sanctions imposed after Mr Trump pulled the US out of the deal last year.
The diplomat, who yesterday returned to Washington from London for talks about the deteriorating situation with Iran, as well as parallel difficulties with North Korea, warned Tehran not to mistake Washington’s “restraint” for a “lack of resolve”.
He added: “To date the regime’s default option has been violence, and we appeal to those in Tehran who see a path to a prosperous future through de-escalation to modify the regime’s behaviour.”
Repeating an offer previously made by Mr Trump, he added: “As President Trump stated yesterday, he ‘looks forward to someday meeting with leaders of Iran in order to work out an agreement and, very importantly, taking steps to give Iran the future it deserves’.”
He was speaking after a US Navy strike group and bomber were sent to the Persian Gulf, amid fears of “specific and credible” threats against US forces.
President Hassan Rouhani has demanded the backing other JPOCA signatories (Image: GETTY)
US Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, commander of the US
