US Sanctions on Iran Will Continue to Be 'Relentless,' Pompeo Says

The U.S. does not plan on easing sanctions on Iran, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, even after reports that the administration considered lifting restrictions to encourage a meeting between President Donald Trump and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (see 1909110039).

“Our enforcement of those sanctions has been and will continue to be relentless,” Pompeo said during the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25, calling the measures “unprecedented.” Pompeo also said the sanctions have been effective in gaining compliance from international companies. “Thousands of companies around the world are complying with our sanctions because they know their success lies with America,” he said, “and not with the Ayatollah.”

Pompeo mentioned specific U.S. sanctions against Iran’s metal and banking sectors but said measures against the country’s petroleum sector have been especially effective and have cut off “Iran’s number-one source of revenue.” Pompeo said that more than 30 countries have stopped all imports of Iranian oil due to U.S. sanctions. “There is much work yet to be done,” Pompeo said.