White House Official Warns: If Iran's Government Continues Supporting Terrorism, Pressure Will Increase

On Sunday, March 10, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz emphasized in a conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani that if the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to support terrorism in the region, it will face increased pressure from the United States. Waltz wrote in a post on X that I made it clear in this conversation that Iraq's exemption from U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic for securing its electricity needs from Iran has not been renewed as part of Donald Trump's 'maximum pressure' strategy on the Islamic Republic. The U.S. National Security Advisor further warned that if the Iranian government continues its efforts to develop nuclear weapons capabilities and supports terrorism throughout the region, including in Iraq, pressure on it will increase. The Trump administration did not renew the exemption on Saturday that allowed Baghdad to pay Tehran for electricity purchases. This sanctions exemption, which began in 2018 during Trump's first term and was renewed every 120 days, expired on Saturday. According to a U.S. State Department spokesperson, this action is part of Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign against Tehran and 'ensures that we do not provide any economic or financial facilities to the Iranian government.' James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, also stated, 'President Trump has made it clear that the Iranian regime must abandon its ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons; otherwise, it will face maximum pressure.' Trump said on Friday regarding Iran that a significant event will happen soon, pivotal moments in relation to Iran have arrived, and 'interesting days' are ahead. He expressed hope that the outcome would be peace, but said that another way would also solve the problem.