Pompeo, Mogherini Discuss Iran, Russia in DC

TEHRAN (defapress) – US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini discussed a number of topics related to Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Venezuela and at least four other countries, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.

News ID: 77812

Date: 19 June 2019 - 10:36

"Pompeo and the High Representative discussed US-EU relations and a number of common interests and shared challenges facing the United States and Europe, including European defense and security, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Moldova, the western Balkans, Russia, Ukraine, and Venezuela," Ortagus said after a meeting in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.

Mogherini was also slated to meet with White House adviser Jared Kushner at some point on Tuesday, according to her agenda.

Earlier in the day, Pompeo said the United States must work with its international partners to address tensions with Iran.

Recently, a special adviser to Mogherini blamed the United States for a rise in tensions between Iran and the West.

"This is happening for one reason that has not been cited so far, which is the fact that the United States has violated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, meaning the Iran deal," Nathalie Tocci said, telling the US, "You're not living up to your side of the bargain."

Tocci's comments came amid escalating tension between the US and Iran over attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran has denied any role in the event, and some observers have raised questions about whether the intelligence was being used as a pretext for the US to escalate conflict with the country and bring back Tehran to the negotiating table.

Message end/