Brian Hook: The Special Working Group is Responsible for Coordinating Actions Against Iran

Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, stated on Friday, August 16, that the goal of the maximum economic pressure campaign against Iran is to cut off the country's access to financial resources for funding terrorism and its missile program. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the formation of a special working group to address issues related to Iran, with Hook at the helm. Hook mentioned in an interview with Fox News that the 'Iran Action Group' will coordinate actions regarding Iran across all U.S. government departments and agencies. He explained that Iran is a multifaceted issue, involving terrorism, financing terrorism, aggressive actions at sea, missile proliferation, human rights violations, and more. He added that the new comprehensive strategy of the U.S. President towards Iran aims to respond to all threats posed by Iran to peace and stability for the U.S. and its allies worldwide. Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA on May 8 and stated that Washington would reinstate sanctions against Tehran. The first phase of these sanctions was reactivated on August 6 by an executive order from the President. Trump emphasized that 'anyone who does business with Iran will not have a deal with the United States.' Hook also discussed the economic pressure on Iran, stating that a significant portion of Iran's trade revenue is used to finance terrorism globally, and the goal of the maximum economic pressure campaign is to cut off Iran's access to funds for terrorism, its missile program, and other destabilizing actions in the Middle East. He mentioned that President Trump has suggested that if Iran changes its behavior, it could have a much better future. Hook has engaged in negotiations with European countries to alter the nuclear agreement with Iran and aims to expand discussions beyond just Iran's nuclear program to include issues such as Iran's presence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, financing Hezbollah, and Shiite militias in the Middle East. He asserted that Iran poses a threat beyond its missile and nuclear programs to peace and stability. While U.S. officials have repeatedly called for a change in the behavior of the Islamic Republic, Iran's Foreign Minister stated two weeks ago that 'they cannot change Iran's policy through pressure and propaganda.' Mohammad Javad Zarif previously stated that 'they have realized during that time that they cannot change Iran's policy through pressure and propaganda.' The U.S. claims it seeks to renegotiate Iran's nuclear and missile programs, as well as its regional actions. In this context, the Secretary of State announced the formation of the 'Iran Action Group.'