Waltz: The U.S. is Squeezing the Economy of the Islamic Republic

Michael Waltz, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, stated on Friday, February 22, that the United States is tightening its grip on the economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of its maximum pressure policy. Waltz, speaking at the second day of the major Republican conference at the 'CPAC' meeting, reminded that during the first term of President Trump, the Iranian government's economy was collapsing due to the maximum pressure policy of the Trump administration. The National Security Advisor reiterated the official U.S. policy regarding Iran's nuclear program, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons. Regarding the Middle East, he mentioned that following the October 7 terrorist attack and subsequent Israeli attacks on the Iranian government and its proxies, Hezbollah has been severely weakened, the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria has been toppled, and the 'terror axis' of the Islamic Republic in the region has effectively been disrupted. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, declared that the Iranian regime can never possess nuclear weapons to hold the world hostage and be capable of attacking Israel. In an interview published on the U.S. State Department's website on Thursday, February 21, Rubio emphasized that President Trump's policy is clear: during Trump's presidency, Iran will not be a nuclear state. The Secretary of State stated, 'We do not discuss tactics or actions.' He has issued an executive order to once again apply maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. He pointed out that the Iranian regime uses every dollar it receives to finance its weapons program and support terrorism, adding that if one looks at all destabilizing actions in the Middle East, they will notice attacks by the Houthis on global shipping lines, and attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, and militias in Iraq on Israel and U.S. forces. The Secretary of State noted that all of these are supported by Iranian money, and he raised the question of why we should allow them to acquire more money to support these actions. He mentioned how the United States prevents a nuclear Iran, saying, 'I will not discuss the options available to us or anyone else.' In response to the question of whether he is aware of Trump's orders to his advisors earlier this month in case of his assassination by the Iranian regime, he said, 'I am aware of what he has said,' and added, 'We will not enter into discussions of tactics or options available in the United States.' He emphasized, 'Suffice it to say that if the United States wants to do this, it could lead to the end of the Iranian regime, but the President is a peace-loving person and prefers to avoid that.' Previously, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department emphasized the maximum pressure of the United States to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating, 'President Trump's statements on this matter are clear: the United States will not allow the Iranian government to possess nuclear weapons.' This spokesperson, in response to Voice of America regarding the warning from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency about the increase in Iran's enriched uranium reserves, added, 'As directed in the President's National Security Memorandum, the United States will use maximum pressure to end the nuclear threat from the Iranian government.' On February 5, Donald Trump resumed the 'maximum pressure' campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran by signing an executive order. According to this directive, with the return of maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran, its pathways to acquiring nuclear weapons will be blocked, and its destructive influence outside the country will be countered. Another section of this directive states that Trump will not tolerate the Islamic Republic's possession of nuclear weapons capabilities and their sustained support for terrorism, especially against U.S. interests. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned on Friday, February 15, about the significant increase in Iran's enriched uranium reserves, emphasizing that the opportunity to revive the JCPOA is running out. The U.S. State Department: The Islamic Republic is not allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. The second flight of U.S. bombers in the Middle East in the past 48 hours. Unveiling of the Islamic Republic's deadly drone; Mark Wallace: See the true face of the Iranian regime. The Islamic Republic's military budget will increase by 200% next year.