Pompeo warns against 'fake' nuclear deal with Iran

Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has warned against reaching what he called a “fake deal” with Iran, arguing that any agreement must go beyond nuclear enrichment limits and lead to the complete dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear and regional capabilities.

In an article published by The Free Press, Pompeo set out three conditions for an agreement with Iran.

First, he said Iran must “fully and verifiably dismantle all uranium enrichment sites and destroy all equipment and components connected to enrichment activities,” including allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency unannounced, permanent access to any site.

Second, Iran would need to end all support for its regional allied groups and “turn over to the United States the senior leadership of al-Qaeda, which lives comfortably in Iran.”

Third, Pompeo said Iran should dismantle external operations of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and stop threatening Israel.

He also wrote that if no agreement is possible, military action remains a viable alternative. “President Trump has made clear that there is another option in the event there is no deal to be made: a military attack on Iran,” Pompeo wrote.

"Such an attack could set back the Iranian nuclear program for a significant period," he added.

Pompeo rejected the framing that the US faces only two choices — war or a deal. “This is propaganda,” he wrote.

"It is a false choice propagated by those who would prefer to coddle the regime in Tehran and cut a deal that will ensure that Iran obtains a full-on nuclear weapons program over time," he added.