Former US Iran envoy Brian Hook set for comeback in Trump 2.0
US media has reported that Donald Trump’s former Iran special envoy is making a comeback as the new administration is formed in transition, likely signaling a tough policy on Iran.
CNN reported that Brian Hook, a top State Department official during the first Trump administration, is “expected to lead Trump’s transition team at the State Department, according to three sources familiar with the matter”.
Politico also reported that the former Iran man is now “overseeing plans for state”, drawing on his experience under the first administration.
Known for his hawkish approach to Iran, he is “set to lead the transition for America’s diplomats”, according to The Guardian.
He left office in 2020, signaling the collapse of any diplomatic success with Iran, having held hopes that nuclear issues could be resolved, in spite of Trump’s departure from the JCPOA.
He was at the heart of Trump’s heavy sanctions and was blamed in turn for the collapse of the Iranian economy and the government's finances as Trump tried to squeeze Iran into submission.
On his departure, he told the New York Times: “Sometimes it’s the journey and sometimes it’s the destination. In the case of our Iran strategy, it’s both. We would like a new deal with the regime. But in the meantime, our pressure has collapsed their finances.”
He hailed the Trump approach a success but from today’s perspective where Iran’s militias across the region are armed with world-class technology, threatening US forces, waging war on Israel and blockading international shipping, the success is less apparent.
“By almost every metric, the regime and its terrorist proxies are weaker than three and a half years ago. Deal or no deal, we have been very successful,” he said at the time.
However, his return has been welcomed by some, but in Tehran, news of Trump’s comeback is met with caution, as officials recognize that a tough administration could bring far-reaching consequences.
Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at the FDD, said it means one thing for Iran, “maximum pressure”. In addition to sanctions and withdrawing from the JCPOA, Trump took the bold step to assassinate Quds Force chief, Qassem Soleimani, responsible for the deaths of multiple US forces and terror attacks around the world. He was killed in a targeted strike in Iraq, leaving Trump and his aides, including Hook, on the top of Iran's 'most wanted'.
In March, the FBI announced it was seeking an Iranian national accused of plotting the killings of current and former US officials.
Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against a Nuclear Iran, told Iran International: “Personnel is policy and I think Brian heading transition efforts at the State Department is a signal that the incoming Trump administration will be reassessing US Iran policy and reviving a maximum pressure approach, which was very successful.”
Hook’s legacy leaves Iran experts such as Brodsky open to his return, while the State Department continues to put out the fires of last year’s embarrassing dismissal of Iran envoy, Robert Malley, accused of leaking secret files on Iran. Details remain undisclosed amid multiple investigations, including by the FBI.
“Brian led a creative and strong Iran team when he was US special representative, and I'm pleased to see he will be involved in the transition,” Brodsky added.
Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the CIA, was more cautious, however. He told Iran International: "Doing the transition isn’t doing Iran.I assume that Brian, if he is in charge of Iran policy at State [Department] would advocate what he advocated last time round. The most important questions about the nuclear program would be decided in the Oval Office."
Along with Hook, Politico reported the return of other hawks including Mark Paoletta coming in to lead transition plans for the Justice Department and former Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer dubbed to head up Trump’s economic team.
