Mike Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the talks will not be “driven” by the United States, but by Israelis and Palestinians themselves.
“Countries will all come together to focus on Middle East stability and peace and freedom and security ... in this region, and that includes an important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The top U.S. diplomat proceeded to highlight the Trump administration’s accomplishments in the region in that “we’ve learned from our mistakes. We’ve rediscovered our voice. We’ve rebuilt our relationships. We’ve rejected false overtures from our enemies.”
Egypt is one of eight countries that Pompeo is scheduled to visit on a weeklong trip that may also include stops in Israel and Iraq.
“I believe [U.S.] President [Donald] Trump is concerned with Iranian aggression across the Middle East including in Syria,” Dore Gold, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, told JNS.
“The United States has continuously cautioned that ballistic missile and SLV launches by the Iranian regime have a destabilizing effect on the region and beyond,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
As part of the first-ever visit by a sitting Israeli prime minister to Brazil, Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to forge stronger ties between his country and the South American nation.
“Iran’s pace of missile activity, including missile launches and tests, did not diminish since the JCPOA. In fact, Iran’s missile testing and missile proliferation is growing,” said the secretary of state.
“I look forward to discussing with you how we can together curb Iran’s aggression in the region, in Syria, in Iraq, in Lebanon and elsewhere, and to continue our efforts to achieve peace and security for everyone,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli prime minister will be accompanied by Mossad director Yossi Cohen, National Security Council director Meir Ben-Shabbat and Military Secretary Brig.-Gen. Avi Blot.
“We would like to see the European Union [impose] sanctions that target Iran’s missile program,” said Brian Hook, senior policy adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State and special envoy for Iran.
State Department continues to see Saudis as player in Mideast peace process
“The U.S. interest in this first mission is to counter Iran’s regional ambitions, and to help our allies and partners protect themselves,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
