Washington’s plan to uproot European sympathy for Iran

In light of the US plan to undermine the Iranian project, Washington continues to tighten the blockade on the mullahs' regime in Tehran through the strategy of international mobilization against Iran's crimes, uncovering its terrorist operations in Europe, dismantling its militias in the Arab region, and warning about the series of assassinations Iran seeks to implement.

American deterrence

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a news conference after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers that the United States is working to deter Iran and confront its terrorist operations, but warned at the same time that Iran is still seeking to carry out assassinations in Europe, adding that its activities make Europe and NATO countries less secure. 

Pompeo stated that there are efforts by the Iranian regime to carry out assassinations within European countries and that the US is working with its partners all over the world to reduce risks and threats through information gathering as well as the deterrent efforts of the US, including the sanctions, which reduce Iran's ability to carry out such activities. 

Iranian intervention in Syria, Iraq and other countries makes Europe and NATO countries less secure, Pompeo said, stressing that the United States is making every effort to rein in Iran from implementing assassinations and terrorist operations.

Unannounced goals

Meanwhile, Iranian affairs researcher Osama al-Hitimi said that Pompeo’s statements were carried political significance and unannounced goals. Washington is seeking various ways to reduce European sympathy for Iran over the resumption of economic sanctions since last May and push European countries to avoid the new European mechanism for trade with Iran.

Pompeo's statements are thus trying to put Iran's political leaders, not just its military or intelligence, in a difficult position before Europe, Hitimi said, stressing that Washington’s moves may give Europeans a strong reason to retreat from dealing favorably with Tehran, whether regarding the nuclear agreement or the new trade mechanism.

Messages to Europe

Hitimi stated that Pompeo's remarks came as a warning message to draw the Europeans’ attention to Iran and to intensify US pressure on Europe to abandon solidarity with Iran, which could resort to the type of criminal behavior it used in the 1980s, when it carried out political assassinations against the Iranian opposition residing in Europe. 

These types of activities from Iran violate the sovereignty of Europe, meaning that European countries must take action to prevent such operations on European soil, Hitimi added, stressing that unless Iran is deterred, it will continue its criminal approach, especially with Europe’s policy of leniency in dealing with Iran.