Mike Pompeo, the new US secretary of state, has arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of a three-day Middle East tour that also includes Jordan and Israel.

Pompeo was greeted in Riyadh on Saturday by his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir and was expected to meet Khalid bin Salman, the kingdom's ambassador to the US, as well as attend a working dinner hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

US state department officials told Reuters news agency the tour, which will include stops in Jerusalem and Amman, is aimed at solidifying ties with key US allies in the region.

It is expected that Pompeo's meetings with the regional leaders will focus on the Iran nuclear deal, which President Donald Trump wants revised.

Trump has criticised the nuclear agreement reached with Iran in July 2015 as the "worst deal ever" and has, at times, threatened to terminate it.

Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - all signatories to the deal - have insisted it be kept intact.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the US Congress this week and conceded while the agreement "may not address all concerns", the parties to the deal "should not abandon it without having something more substantial instead".

A former CIA director for Trump, Pompeo was sworn in by the Senate as the United States' chief diplomat on Thursday.

On Friday, Pompeo headed the US delegation to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. </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 — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that the U.S. is canceling a 1955 treaty with Iran establishing economic relations and consular rights between the two nations.

The move follows a ruling by the United Nations' highest court ordering the United States to lift sanctions on Iran that affect imports of humanitarian goods.

Iran alleges that the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration after its withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran violated the so-called Treaty of Amity.

Pompeo told reporters Wednesday that the termination of the treaty was decades overdue. He said that Iran was abusing the International Court of Justice for political and propaganda purposes.

He said Iran's claims under the treaty were "absurd."

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> TEL AVIV — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday brushed off concerns that a decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal could derail nuclear negotiations with North Korea.

“I don’t think Kim Jong Un is staring at the Iran deal and saying, ‘Oh goodness, if they get out of that deal, I won’t talk to the Americans anymore,’” Pompeo told reporters traveling on his plane en route from Saudi Arabia to Israel. “There are higher priorities, things that he is more concerned about than whether or not the Americans stay in the [agreement].”

Pompeo is the highest level U.S. official to have spoken with North Korea’s leader. On his maiden voyage overseas as secretary of state, Pompeo has repeatedly warned that President Donald Trump will walk away from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran if it is not strengthened with “fixes” dealing with Iran’s ballistic missile testing and other issues.

Potential talks with North Korea about abandoning its nuclear weapons were expected to be an incentive for Trump to stay in the Iran deal, so as not to make Kim distrustful of U.S. intentions.

Pompeo’s dismissal of that notion, however, suggests that Trump won’t consider it much of an obstacle, either.

“I am confident that Kim Jong Un is looking for more than a piece of paper,” Pompeo said.

Rather, he added, “He’s going to look for aligning our interests, right? Setting up what we talk about as concrete, irreversible actions, assurances that … if we are able to be successful achieving this, that it will be lasting.”

Pompeo was scheduled to talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later Sunday before heading to Jordan.

Iran’s activities and ambitions are at the center of his talks in the Middle East. Just before leaving Riyadh, Pompeo tore into the Iran nuclear deal made by the Obama administration, declaring it a failure.

“Unlike the prior administration, we will not neglect the vast scope of Iran’s terrorism,” Pompeo said at Riyadh’s airport.

Pompeo cited Tehran’s activities support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad and cyberhacking of its adversaries.

“The nuclear deal has failed to moderate the regime’s conduct in many areas,” Pompeo said, reading from written remarks and taking no questions from reporters. “In fact, Iran has only behaved worse since deal was approved.”

The 2015 nuclear agreement does not address Iran’s behavior in non-nuclear matters. Negotiators argued it was less dangerous to confront Iran on those issues if the potential threat of nuclear weapons was minimized. U.S. officials have been talking with European allies who helped strike a deal to come up with a “supplemental” fix.

So far, Pompeo has expressed positions that are similar to those of his immediate predecessor, Rex Tillerson, who was unceremoniously fired last month.

One noticeable difference is the frequency with which Pompeo mentions Trump by name in almost all his public remarks.

Follow the Bangor Daily News on Facebook for the latest Maine news. </s> Mike Pompeo, on his maiden trip as U.S. secretary of state, is using the three-day visit in the Middle East to garner international support to pressure Iran to modify its nuclear program.

During a stop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Pompeo urged unity among the Gulf states — saying cooperation and easing of economic tensions with Qatar is "necessary."

Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have halted trade with Qatar, accusing the natural gas-rich nation of aiding terrorism and maintaining close ties with Iran. The discord between the Gulf states has frustrated U.S. officials' attempts to weaken the influence of Iran in the region.

"We've got a common challenge in Iran. I think they all recognize that," Pompeo said in remarks to reporters. "We're hopeful that they will in their own way figure out their dispute between them."

Pompeo's arrived in Riyadh shortly after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a barrage of missiles into Saudi Arabia, killing at least one person. The attack is the latest sign that the raging civil war in Yemen continues to further threaten stability in the region.

During the state visit, Pompeo also assured Saudi Arabia that the U.S. will follow through with President Trump's commitment to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear accord. The deal, reached under the Obama administration, essentially lifted economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbing its nuclear weapons program.

Echoing Trump's sentiment that the foreign policy was a "bad deal," Pompeo said the accord has failed to moderate Iran's behavior. "In fact, Iran has only behaved worse since deal was approved," Pompeo said.

Pompeo told NATO leaders in Brussels on Saturday that unless a substantial fix is made, the U.S. is unlikely to remain in the deal.

And that decision, he said, would not impact expected talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "I don't think Kim Jong Un is staring at the Iran deal and saying, 'Oh goodness, if they get out of that deal, I won't talk to the Americans anymore,' " Pompeo said.

Pompeo is the highest ranking U.S. official to meet with the North Korean dictator. The two met in secret while Pompeo was still CIA director. He tells ABC News that he met Kim with "a clear mission" of irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, and that there is still a lot to be done before that goal is reached. He says the administration is going into the scheduled talks with eyes wide open, "We're not going to take words. We're going to look for actions and deeds," he said.

Trump is expected to make a decision on whether to stay in the Iran nuclear deal by May 12.

Two days later, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is scheduled to open its doors. Pompeo is meeting next with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who Pompeo calls "a true friend." </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> U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Israel Sunday as part of his first foreign trip since being confirmed in his new post.

 

 He arrived from Saudi Arabia, where Pompeo's senior policy adviser, Brian Hook, who is accompanying Pompeo, called on European allies and other countries to impose sanctions on Iran to weaken its missile program.

 

 "We are urging nations around the world to sanction any individuals and entities associated with Iran's missile program, and it has also been a big part of discussions with Europeans," Hook told reporters in Riyadh.

The three day trip, during which he is expected to brief U.S. allies on administration policy towards Iran, also includes a stop in Jordan.

 

 Friday in Brussels Pompeo said no decision has been made on whether President Donald Trump will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, adding that negotiations are ongoing.

 

 At his first news conference in his new job, Pompeo said, "Absent a substantial fix, absent overcoming the shortcomings, the flaws of the deal, he [President Trump] is unlikely to stay in that deal past this May."

Pompeo said he had discussed the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, with his NATO counterparts. The top U.S. diplomat said this issue likely would be high on the agenda when he travels to the Middle East after leaving Brussels.

 

 Pompeo also fielded questions on countering Russian attacks on Western democracy, Ukraine, his visit to North Korea and morale at the State Department. Asked about a demoralized work force back in Washington, Pompeo said he had met with State Department officers at the NATO mission in Brussels. He said they may have been demoralized, but seemed in good spirits.

 

 "They are hopeful that the State Department will get its swagger back, that we will be out doing the things that they came on board at the State Department to do, to be professional, to deliver American diplomacy around the world; that is my mission set."

 

 Pompeo indicated he would meet with State Department employees on Tuesday after returning to Washington.

 

 Asked about his recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Pompeo declined to say if Kim is stable. Pompeo did say he believes Kim is serious about a planned summit with Trump. Pompeo congratulated the Republic of Korea and North Korea on a historic meeting, and the Korean people’s aspirations for peace and prosperity.

 

 "Let there be no doubt, we would not be where we are today without President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign, and the work that has been done all around the world to apply pressure to North Korea."

 

 Making his first trip hours after he was confirmed sent a strong signal of U.S. support to its NATO allies, Pompeo said:

 

 "I hopped straight on a plane and came straight here," Pompeo told NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "There's good reason for that. The work that's being done here today is invaluable and our objectives are important and this mission means a lot to the United States of America."

 

 Pompeo said President Trump "very much wanted me to get here."

 

 Stoltenberg and others leaders in Brussels say they appreciated Pompeo's quick action to attend Friday's talks.

 

 "I feel that that's a great expression of the importance of the alliance and the importance we attach to the alliance and I very much look forward to talking with you, on the need to adapt NATO to a more demanding security environment," the NATO secretary general told Pompeo.

 

 Stoltenberg added, "Your valued and long experience will make you a perfect person to be the top diplomat of the United States."

 

 International leaders and foreign policy experts will likely observe Pompeo closely in his first weeks on the job to get a read on where the United States stands, as North Korea, Syria and Iran dominate headlines.

 

 Pompeo is said to be more "hawkish" on the Iranian government than his predecessor, Rex Tillerson, who wanted the U.S. to stay in the Iran nuclear agreement.

 

 Tillerson was abruptly fired by Trump last month, just hours after returning from a trip to Africa. Trump said he and Pompeo are much more "on the same wavelength" on Iran and other issues.

 

 During his confirmation hearing, a number of Democratic senators expressed concern that Pompeo is too close to Trump, and may not stand up to Trump when the two disagree on policy. Republican lawmakers noted Pompeo's close relationship to Trump will be a great asset on the world stage. </s> This is a breaking story and may be updated...

After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday ruled the Trump administration's sanctions against Iran violate the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "impetuously" declared at a morning press conference that the United States will terminate the decades-old bilateral agreement rather than comply with the United Nations court's order to ease sanctions.

Critics of the move immediately spoke out and warned of potentially dire consequences.

"The 1955 US-Iran treaty provided a tool for resolving disputes when diplomacy failed," noted Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). "Pompeo walking out of it signals that he wants to make sure that disputes with Iran are NOT resolved peacefully."

The ruling earlier in the day by the Hague-based court had stated U.S. assurances that the sanctions would not negatively impact humanitarian aid and aviation safety "were not adequate." The decision was welcomed by Iran's Foreign Ministry, which condemned the measures as "illegal and cruel."

Pompeo's announcement that the U.S. is canceling the 1955 agreement—similar to the President Donald Trump's decision to ditch the Iran nuclear deal earlier this year and coupled with reports that Pompeo and Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton are actively working to "foment unrest" in Iran—elicited immediate concerns about future engagement with the country.

"The drums of war are beating," journalist Aaron Rupar warned on Twitter.

"As you can see, Article 1 on the Treaty—'There shall be firm and enduring peace and sincere friendship between the United States of America and Iran'—hasn't aged very well over the years," remarked Foreign Policy reporter Robbie Gramer.

During his announcement at the State Department on Wednesday, Pompeo said with a chuckle, "This is a decision, frankly, that is 39 years overdue," an apparent reference to the 1979 Iranian revolution in which the U.S.-backed Shah was overthrown. </s> ISRAEL (CBSMiami) – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling for international action to punish Iran for its missile programs.

The nation’s top diplomat is finishing up the final leg of his first trip abroad…meeting with allies in the Middle East.

Pompeo arrived in Jordan Sunday after whirlwind visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel, where he repeatedly took aim at Iran.

“We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s dangerous escalation of threats to Israel and the region,” Pompeo said.

Pompeo promised full U.S. support to Israel which claims Iran has ramped up assistance to anti-Israel militant groups and its long-range missile programs.

“Iran must be stopped. Its quest for nuclear bombs must be stopped,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel is also leading calls for the international community to revise its 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

President Trump will decide if the U.S. will stay in it by May 12th.

“If we can’t fix it he’s going to withdraw from the deal. It’s pretty straight forward,” said Pompeo.

Pompeo does not think exiting the Iran deal will play any role in the de-nuclearization efforts with North Korea.

Pompeo kicked off fresh negotiations with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un in a secret visit last month.

“My goal was to try to identify if there was a real opportunity there, I believe there is,” Pompeo said.

Trump is making plans to meet with the North Korean leader within next month or two.

Pompeo also said he was proud to be relocating the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States will quit the agreement if its "flaws" can't be fixed.