DEFENSE/IRAN/MIKE POMPEO/MILITARY/NUCLEAR/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The US will aim to ‘crush’ Iran with economic and military pressure unless it changes its behavior in the Middle East, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday [5-21-18]. Pompeo, unveiling the Trump administration’s new policy on Iran just weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, said the US will work to counter Tehran’s activities and curb its influence in the Middle East and make sure that it never gains a nuclear weapon…Pompeo said he will also be working with the Defense Department and allies to push back on Iran…In exchange for a change in behavior, Pompeo said the US would be willing to end sanctions, re-establish commercial relationships and allow it to have advanced technology. And he made clear that the Trump administration was ready to part ways with allies and even use sanctions against them if necessary.”
-Nicole Gaouette and Laura Koran, “Pompeo threatens US will ‘crush’ Iran through sanctions and pressure campaign,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, May 21, 2018 9:37 am