Barely three months after Washington pulled out from the Iran nuclear deal, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced the creation of the Iran Action Group (IAG) in a bid to pressurise Tehran to change its ways.
Pompeo elucidated that the IAG would play a crucial role in reviewing, coordinating and directing “all aspects of the State Department’s Iran-related activity”, adding that the group would report directly to him.
Accusing Iran of being involved in “a torrent of violent and destabilizing behavior” against the US and its allies for almost 40 years, Pompeo said, “We are committed to a whole-of-government effort to change the Iranian regime’s behavior.”
Giving a stern warning to Tehran to change its behaviour, especially on its nuclear approach, Pompeo underlined that the IAG would help to closely synchronize with inter-agency partners of the US State Department and lead diplomatic efforts by Washington to “galvanise international support for our efforts.”
Earlier this month, Washington decided to reinstate the sanctions on Iran, which were lifted by former president Barack Obama in 2015 to create pressure on Iran while creating a rift with Europe, reported the New York Times.