Pompeo Arrives in Jordan, a journey to Middle East, Focused on Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is focusing on Iran and Islamic State as he makes a week-long visit to the Middle East.

Ariana News Agency-

Pompeo said ahead of his first stop Tuesday in Jordan that he wants to “send a clear message” that the United States is committed to the region, defeating Islamic State and countering what he called “Iran’s destabilizing activities.”

In his talks with Jordanian leaders, Pompeo was expected to discuss the situation in Syria, where the Trump administration is planning to withdraw 2,000 U.S. forces, as well as Jordan’s economic links with neighboring Iraq.

Other stops on the top U.S. diplomat’s trip include Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.

Pompeo is due to give a speech in Cairo that the State Department says will focus on “U.S. commitment to peace, prosperity, stability and security in the Middle East.”

Ten years ago, it was President Barack Obama making a major address in Cairo, where he sought “a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world.”

Since taking office at the end of Obama’s term, President Donald Trump has taken different foreign policy paths than those of his predecessor, including abandoning the nuclear agreement the United States and five other nations struck with Iran to limit the Iranian nuclear program.