Pompeo: US Not Seeking Direct Military Intervention in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington is not seeking a “regime change” in Iran through direct military intervention.
Pompeo met with “Iranian American community leaders” last Monday at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel, According to Axios, citing three sources who were in the room, one of whom took detailed notes.
During the meeting, Pompeo reportedly was asked, "If regime change does not occur internally what is the endgame?"
In response, he said that the administration is "careful not to use the language of regime change" and that the Trump administration does not plan to intervene militarily in Iran.
When asked if the administration had considered the possibility of a coup, Pompeo quipped that he would not tell the attendees even if it had, prompting laughter, according to the article.
Beyond ruling out military intervention, Pompeo was vague about the administration's plans regarding Iran, according to the report.
He reportedly said that "our best interest is a non-revolutionary set of leaders leading Iran”.
Pompeo also told the group that "there are no guarantees" US sanctions would not hurt the people of Iran.
The Trump administration left a multi-lateral nuclear agreement with Iran last May. Afterwards, Washington re-imposed the sanctions that had been lifted under the accord.
The US secretary of State was also grilled about Trump associates' connections to the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO or MEK).
"Ambassador Bolton spoke at an MEK rally. President Trump and I have not," Pompeo said.
In 2012, the US lifted its terrorist designation of the group, which is responsible for killing thousands of Iranian civilians and officials.
Every year, the MKO throws a lavish conference in Paris, which is participated by top American officials among others. The last edition was joined by US National Security Adviser John Bolton and Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
