Pompeo: Ayatollah Demanding Even More Handouts from America in Iran Deal

Statement

Today, Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) responded to yesterday's speech by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Khamenei issued his harshest criticism of the Iran nuclear deal to date, castigating the U.S. for not doing enough for Iran and suggesting his country might be forced to pull out of the deal.

Pompeo said: "The Ayatollah, and other senior Iranian leaders, continue to make clear their hostility toward the U.S. and their intention to walk away from the nuclear deal if we refuse to provide assistance beyond what is required in the agreement. President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seem willing to comply with these demands. Indeed, Secretary of State John Kerry is carrying water for the Iranians around the world--intimidating foreign countries into providing support to Iran that exceeds the deal's requirements. Obama, Clinton and Kerry are deaf to the Iranians' shouts of "death to America' -- and willing to do nearly anything for the Iranians -- in order to preserve what they view as their crowning achievement, the deal with Ayatollah Khamenei.

Pompeo continued: "To the people of Iran: it is clear that in order to grow your economy and develop democratic traditions, you need new leaders--leaders who will prioritize you and not send your money to terrorist groups and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"To the Ayatollah: you approved of the deal as written. Do not come to American taxpayers seeking additional welfare for your country, beyond the $150 billion that was, unfortunately, provided to you as part of the deal.

"To President Obama and Secretary Kerry: please focus on American safety and security, not on preserving this deal at any cost. Iran is harboring al-Qaeda terrorists, taking U.S. citizens hostage and using its forces to foment destruction around the globe. Stop using U.S. taxpayer dollars to purchase goods from Iran and to license the sale of potential military tools, like aircraft. It is not your role to act as agents of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce. America's security depends on you acknowledging that this agreement has not changed Iran's behavior in any material way.

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