European leaders unite on Iran deal as Pompeo hints at pull-out by US
THE new US secretary of state has described Iran “as the greatest sponsor of terrorism in the world” yesterday in a further signal that America intends to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.
Mike Pompeo, speaking in Saudi Arabia during his first visit to the Middle East since being sworn in last week, struck a hawkish tone as Donald Trump’s deadline for a decision on the deal looms on May 12.
However, he offered hope of some compromise to France, Germany and the UK, who last night reaffirmed a desire to stick with the deal.
“We will continue to work with our European allies to fix that deal. But if a deal cannot be reached, the president has said that he will leave that deal,” Mr Pompeo said.
But he added: “Unlike the prior administration, we will not neglect the vast scope of Iran’s terrorism. It is indeed the greatest sponsor of terrorism in the world. In fact, Iran has only behaved worse since the deal was approved. Iran destabilises this entire region.”
Downing Street last night announced that UK Prime Minister Theresa May has had separate discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the weekend in which they solidified their support of the deal. In a nod to Mr Trump and in the wake of visits to the US last week by Mr Macron and Ms Merkel, the three leaders acknowledged there were key issues that needed to be addressed, including the question of Iran’s ballistic missile programme and what happens when the deal expires.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “They discussed the importance of the Iran nuclear deal as the best way of neutralising the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, agreeing that our priority as an international community remained preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
“They agreed that there were important elements that the deal does not cover, but which we need to address.
“Acknowledging the importance of retaining the deal, they committed to continue working closely together and with the US on how to tackle the range of challenges that Iran poses.”
Number 10 said the three European leaders had also spoken about the “vital importance” of their steel and aluminium industries and their concern about the impact of US tariffs. They pledged to work together to obtain a permanent exemption from the tariffs.
Iran has threatened to restart nuclear activity should Mr Trump scupper the agreement, with President Hassan Rouhani calling Mr Trump a “tradesman” who lacks the qualifications to deal with a complex international pact.
Last night, Mr Rouhani told Mr Macron in a telephone conversation that the Iran nuclear deal was “not negotiable”.
Speaking on Fox News yesterday, John Bolton, the US national security adviser, said Mr Trump had yet to make a decision. (© Daily Telegraph, London)