Pompeo: The Issue of Changing the Behavior of Iran's Leaders is to Meet the People's Demands

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated in an interview with Voice of America that the new strategy towards Iran is not regime change, but rather changing the behavior of its leaders. In a special interview published on Friday, June 4, Pompeo emphasized: "The 12 points I listed are all very clear and specific. We do not want much from Iran's leadership. We just want them to behave like normal leaders. Do not plunder your people; do not waste your people's money on these adventures in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, etc." However, Pompeo added: "The issue is not regime change. The issue is changing the behavior of Iran's leadership in meeting the demands of their people." On Monday, the Secretary of State set 12 demands aimed at reaching a new agreement with Iran, stating that if Iran does not change its behavior, the U.S. will impose "the toughest sanctions in history" against Iran. These demands were articulated as part of a diplomatic "roadmap" from the Trump administration regarding Iran. A senior U.S. official previously stated that the goal of this roadmap is to pressure Tehran to return to the negotiating table. Pompeo criticized Iran's approach in the Middle East, stating: "We have asked them to stop the spread of terrorism worldwide; not to form militia groups in Iraq; not to send dollars and Iranian citizens – citizens who are being killed in Syria. This is bad for both Middle Eastern security and for Iran. We want to create conditions for Iran to behave like a normal country." He added: "This is about the leaders of Iran, not the people of Iran. The leaders of Iran have taken control and caused this destruction. If we can stop their actions, the people of Iran will achieve a great success. And we will see American visitors there, benefiting from all the good things we offer to our friends and allies – not to those who threaten our country." Pompeo stated: "We do not want Iranian opposition groups in the U.S. and Europe to support regime change. We want them to work on behalf of the ordinary people of Iran; people who just want to live their lives, to be able to remove their hijab, work, raise their children, and worship as they wish. This is the demand of the Iranian people, and if active individuals abroad work towards this goal, we welcome them." Regarding U.S. support for Iranian opposition efforts in America and Europe, Pompeo said: "Of course, as long as their goals align with ours. I have seen that this is sometimes not the case in some smaller groups. But as long as they are moving towards a common goal with us, the response is positive. We do not want them to support regime change." He added: "We want them to work on behalf of the ordinary people of Iran; people who just want to live their lives, to be able to remove their hijab, work, raise their children, and worship as they wish. This is the demand of the Iranian people, and if active individuals abroad work towards this goal, we welcome them." Pompeo emphasized that it is not appropriate for Iran, like countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to have the capability to produce fissile materials, enrich uranium, or have plutonium facilities. He added: "If they want a peaceful nuclear program, that is fine. But they must import those materials like other countries, and this has worked for many countries. To ensure this, inspections must be conducted, including military sites, research laboratories, and all other locations that have previously participated in Iran's program." Iranian officials have previously criticized Pompeo's statements and his 12 demands. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reacted to Pompeo's remarks by stating that the U.S. has "gone back 15 years" and is "repeating" the words of former President George W. Bush. The Iranian president emphasized that "the world today does not accept that the U.S. decides for the world."