State Department to Iran: Comply or Else

The State Department’s director of policy planning, Brian Hook, held a news briefing Tuesday to discuss diplomatic efforts with Iran, and the 12 demands the Islamic Republic needs to meet—or else.

“It has been almost two months since President (Donald) Trump announced our withdrawal from the Iran deal, and a little over one month since Secretary (Mike) Pompeo laid out a roadmap for achieving a better deal,” Hook recalled.

“The secretary outlined a clear and compelling vision for a better future for the Iranian people. This future can only be realized, though, if Iran meets 12 demands to become a normal country,” he continued. “Normal countries don’t terrorize other nations, proliferate missiles and impoverish their own people.”

“As Secretary Pompeo has said, this new strategy is not about changing the regime; it is about changing the behavior of the leadership in Iran to comport with what the Iranian people really want them to do,” Hook said.

A key part of the United States strategy is a campaign of maximum economic and diplomatic pressure.

“The first part of our sanctions will snap back on Aug. 4,” Hook said. “These sanctions will include targeting Iran’s automotive sector, trade in gold and other key metals.”

Hook explained that more than 50 international firms have already announced their intent to leave the Iranian market.

“The average Iranian today is struggling to afford basics, like water, bread and eggs,” Hook says. “At the same time, the Iranian regime is squandering millions of dollars on violent misadventures abroad. These serve no purpose other than to prolong pain and suffering of men, women and children in Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East.” {eoa}

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