Pompeo and Netanyahu Emphasize Joint Cooperation to Counter Iran

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, emphasized the necessity of joint cooperation to counter Iran's expansionism. In a joint press conference, Netanyahu stated that Donald Trump's actions to exert pressure on Iran have been effective so far. The Israeli Prime Minister added, 'We must increase these pressures, we must expand them, and the United States and Israel have close coordination to counter Iran's aggression in the region and around the world.' Mike Pompeo also asserted during the press conference that Iran seeks the destruction of Israel. The U.S. Secretary of State said, 'In light of this threat against Israel, we reaffirm our full commitment to maintaining Israel's security and support its right to defend itself.' During the press conference, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria. Media reports indicate that Israel has conducted hundreds of military operations against Iranian positions and Hezbollah in Syria in recent years. The Israeli Prime Minister stated, 'There are no limitations on our freedom of action. We greatly appreciate the United States' support for our actions.' Mike Pompeo is in the region to visit Kuwait, Israel, and Lebanon. The U.S. Secretary of State began his Middle East trip by visiting Kuwait on Wednesday and meeting with the Emir of the country. It has been previously stated that the aim of Pompeo's visit to these three countries is to engage in 'strategic' dialogue with regional leaders to 'counter the Iranian threat.' Pompeo had previously told Fox News that 'the common issue in each of these countries is helping them increase their efforts to push back against the Islamic Republic of Iran.' Pompeo's recent trip to Israel, Lebanon, and Kuwait comes as the former is soon to hold parliamentary elections, and the timing of the U.S. Secretary of State's visit has drawn attention from Israeli media. Some of these media outlets interpret Pompeo's visit as a sign of support for Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the staunchest critics of the Iran nuclear deal. The U.S. government, on the other hand, claims it does not intend to interfere in Israeli politics.