US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Tuesday that he is on his way to Capitol Hill to brief Congress on Iranian threats and steps the United States is taking to protect its interests in the Middle East
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st May, 2019) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Tuesday that he is on his way to Capitol Hill to brief Congress on Iranian threats and steps the United States is taking to protect its interests in the middle East."Going to the Hill shortly to have a serious discussion with lawmakers about 40 years of unprovoked aggression from the Iranian regime and to explain the prudent steps we're taking to deter violence, protect American interests, and support the brave Iranian people," Pompeo said via Twitter.
Earlier in May, Washington ordered the evacuation of all government personnel from its embassy in Baghdad, as well as its consulate in Erbil, citing an unspecified threat to emanating from Iran.
The United States has in recent weeks stepped up its military forces in the Middle East in what US National Security Adviser John Bolton has called "a clear and unmistakable message" to Iran. The new US deployments in the region include a carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers and F-15 fighters, according to the Pentagon.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Iran does not intend to wage war with the United States but will continue to resist Washington.
US-Iranian tensions first flared up last year when the United States unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and started reinstating sanctions. On May 8, Iran announced its decision to partially discontinue its obligations under the nuclear agreement.
