Radio Recap: US Willing to Meet with Iran, but Pressure Will Continue

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says President Trump is willing to sit down with Iranian leaders, without any preconditions, but even while it’s people suffer, it looks like Iran is not willing to talk.

On today’s broadcast, we discussed a statement from Sec. Pompeo where he basically said the President is willing to meet with Iran, but the U.S. won’t let off pressure or lift sanctions. Especially not while it starves its people, threatens to develop nuclear weapons, and sponsor terrorist attacks on our allies.

At a news conference in Switzerland, Sec. Pompeo stated:

“We’re prepared to engage in a conversation with no preconditions. We’re ready to sit down with them. But the American effort to fundamentally reverse the malign activity of the Islamic Republic, this revolutionary force, is going to continue.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has hinted that Iran is not willing to hold talks with the United States. According to Zarif, discussions between the U.S. and Iran are “not very likely.”  

The Minister stated Iran believes President Trump is trying to pressure it to come to the negotiating table, and that won’t work. In an interview, Zarif stated:  

“Talking is the continuation of the process of pressure. He is imposing pressure, and then in his conception of the Art of the Deal, pressure then brings the party to the negotiating table under pressure. This may work in the real estate market. It does not work in dealing with Iran.”

It sounds to me like the answer from Iran is “no, we’re not going to sit down and talk to you.” I wondered how Minister Zarif really feels about his country’s firm stance when he looks at how its firm stance is affecting his country’s pocketbook. Iran’s leaders are allowing its people to suffer. It’s spending billions to fund terrorism.

Iran accused the President of so-called “economic terrorism” even as it sponsors Hezbollah – Iran’s terrorist proxy – as it launches deadly rockets at Israeli citizens.

We told you how Iran demanded that the European Union (EU) essentially renegotiate the failed Iran deal after the U.S. pulled out, or it would resume its efforts to develop nuclear weapons. The EU refused, and rebuffed Iran’s attempted shakedown.

Our support of Israel is so important, especially at a time like this when there seems to be so many threats from Iran.

You can listen to the entire episode here.