US Secretary of State Pompeo says Washington is ready to negotiate with Tehran in an effort to ease Mideast tensions
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis attend a joint news conference at the medieval Castelgrande castle in Bellinzona, Switzerland June 2, 2019.
While the offer may not pan out, Pompeo made it during a visit to Switzerland, the country that long has represented American interests in Iran, as part of a European trip aimed at assuring wary leaders that the US is not eager for war. "The situation is very tense. We are fully aware, both parties are fully aware, of this tension. Switzerland, of course, wishes there is no escalation, no escalation to violence," he said.
Pompeo declined to comment on whether he had made a specific request to the Swiss about the detainees. But, he said the release of unjustly jailed Americans in Iran and elsewhere is a US priority.Pompeo was in Switzerland on the second leg after Germany of a four-nation tour of Europe in which he is both trying to calm nerves and stressing that the US will defend itself and not relent in raising pressure on Iran with economic sanctions.
Some analysts believe Iran is acting to restore leverage it has lost since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and the U.S. reimposed sanctions that have hobbled Iran's economy.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S.'s Pompeo says Huawei is an 'instrument of Chinese government'Secretary of State Mike Pompeo kept up U.S. pressure on Huawei Technologies Co L...
Read more »
Pompeo not decided on extending waiver for Iraq to import Iran power: spokeswomanU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has not made a decision on extending a 90-da...
Read more »
US, Iran both say they willing to talk, on their own terms, amid tensionsAmid heightened tensions and fears of conflict, the U.S. and Iran both said Wednesday that they are open to talks, but only on their own terms.
Read more »
Could Iraq be an unlikely arbiter between Iran and the US?Squeezed between two archenemies, the US and Iran, Baghdad is trying hard to save itself from future chaos if Washington attacks its Shia neighbour.
Read more »
Iran sees no prospect of negotiations with US - foreign ministryTensions have risen between Iran and the US after this month's attack on oil tankers in the Gulf region. US blamed the attacks on Iran, which denies the accusations.
Read more »
U.S. top security adviser says threat from Iran is not overThe threat from Iran is not over but quick action from the United States has hel...
Read more »
U.S. will respond with military force if Iran attacks its interests: HookThe United States will respond with military force if its interests are attacked...
Read more »
Japan says Russia supports its plan to help ease U.S.-Iran tensionsRussia expressed support for Japan's intention to play a role in helping ea...
Read more »
Citing Iran threat, U.S. to send up to 1,500 more troops to Middle EastThe Pentagon said it was sending as many as 1,500 more troops to the Middle East in response to what officials described as a campaign of low-level attacks directed by Iran on U.S. allies in the Middle East.
Read more »
U.S. sanctions policy threatens Middle East security: Iran deputy foreign ministerWashington's sanctions policy threatens the security of the Middle East, Ir...
Read more »
Iraq offers to mediate between the U.S. and Iran as tensions growIraq offered to mediate in the crisis between its two key allies, the United States and Iran, amid escalating Middle East tensions and as Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers steadily unravels.
Read more »