Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, appointed as President-elect Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, recently emphasized the need for the United States to adopt a policy of 'maximum pressure' towards Iran. Speaking at an event sponsored by the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Paris, Kellogg highlighted the importance of addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions, stating that the acquisition of a nuclear weapon by Iran would have severe repercussions for the Middle East.
Kellogg underscored the significance of reinstating a policy of maximum pressure on Iran, a stance that was initiated during Trump's first term when the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The retired lieutenant general stressed the importance of global cooperation in applying pressure on Iran, emphasizing the support for the Iranian people's aspirations for democracy.
Following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, economic sanctions were reimposed on Iran, a move that garnered mixed reactions from world leaders. While some, like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, supported the decision, leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany had urged the U.S. to remain committed to the deal.
Kellogg highlighted that the pressure on Iran should encompass not only military means but also economic and diplomatic measures. He emphasized the need for a more stable and non-nuclear Iran, leveraging the current vulnerabilities of the Iranian regime.
The president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Maryam Rajavi, echoed Kellogg's sentiments, stating that the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria presented an opportunity for Iranians to shape their future. Rajavi outlined a vision for a democratic Iran, proposing a transitional government and free elections following the overthrow of the current regime.
In response to the event, the Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized France for hosting what it termed a 'terrorist group' and accused the French government of failing to uphold its international obligations in combating terrorism.
