The White House escalated its war of words against critics of President Donald Trumps Iran diplomacy over the weekend, unleashing a profanity-laced tirade at former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after he questioned the administrations emerging deal with Tehran.
The clash erupted after Trump announced significant progress on a new arrangement with the Islamic Republic. According to WND, Trump stated Saturday: An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed. He added that he had spoken with Israels prime minister, noting: Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well. Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Pompeo, who previously served as CIA director and secretary of state in the first Trump administration, blasted the reported framework as dangerously reminiscent of the Obama-era appeasement of Iran. The deal being floated with Iran seems straight out of the Wendy Sherman-Robert Malley-Ben Rhodes playbook: Pay the IRGC to build a WMD program and terrorize the world, he warned, invoking the architects of the 2015 nuclear accord. He further argued that the reported terms betray Trumps America First doctrine, declaring: Not remotely America First. Its straightforward: Open the damned strait. Deny Iran access to money. Take out enough Iranian capability so it cannot threaten our allies in the region. Overdue. Lets go.
Rather than respond with a substantive rebuttal, the Biden communications shop opted for raw invective. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung fired back in a statement devoid of diplomatic restraint: Mike Pompeo has no idea what the f*** hes talking about. He should shut his stupid mouth and leave the real work to the professionals. Hes not read into anything thats happening, so how would he know.
Pompeos criticism also drew fire from some on the right who fault his own foreign-policy record. Sarah Adams, a CIA alum and author of Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy, charged: You made the Doha Deal with the Taliban that literally is setting up the next 9/11 attack on US soil. You might want to keep your head down.
Political operative and WABC Radio host Roger Stone joined the pile-on with his trademark caustic humor. Mike Pompeo is the only person in American history who looks worse after bypass surgery. Dude needs to get something to eat, Stone quipped, underscoring how intramural Republican disputes over Iran and broader national-security strategy remain far from settled as Trumps critics and allies alike jockey for influence over U.S. policy in the most volatile region on earth.
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