US issues list of demands for new Iran nuclear deal

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued Monday a lengthy list of demands the U.S. is seeking to include in a new nuclear deal with Iran after President Donald Trump exited Washington from the landmark accord brokered by his predecessor and world powers.

During his first public address as America's top diplomat, Pompeo threatened Iran with the "strongest sanctions in history" if it does not change its regional policies while vowing the Trump administration will ensure "Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon, ever".

He further promised the "sting of sanctions will be painful" should Tehran not choose to change course "from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen to one that rejoins the league of nations".

"The regime has been fighting all over the Middle East for years. After our sanctions come into force it will be battling to keep its economy alive," Pompeo told the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank. "Iran will be forced to make a choice: either fight to keep its economy off life support at home, or keep squandering precious wealth abroad. It will not have the resources to do both."

Should Iran choose to change its behavior, Pompeo said the U.S. would be willing to restore full commercial and diplomatic ties, and allow it access to advanced technology.

Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord struck between world powers and Tehran has rattled close U.S. allies in Europe who had been counseling the American president against taking such action.

The U.S.'s European allies are now seeking to keep the deal alive without the America's participation, but Pompeo warned against doing so as the U.S. prepares to re-impose its former nuclear-related sanctions and apply new ones.

"We understand our re-imposition of sanctions and the coming pressure campaign on the Iranian regime will pose financial and economic difficulties for a number of our friends," Pompeo said. "But you should know that we will hold those doing prohibited business in Iran to account."