Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reached out to U.S. allies in the wider Middle East and Europe to discuss the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Qods Force. In calls with top officials, Pompeo reiterated shared concerns about Iran’s interventions across the region. The following are readouts from the State Department of his conversations.
January 3, 2019
Afghanistan
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss President Trump’s recent decision to take defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to threats to American lives. Secretary Pompeo underscored the Iranian regime’s destabilizing actions through the region and the Trump Administration’s resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners.
Britain
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. The Secretary discussed President Trump’s recent decision to take defensive action to eliminate Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives. The Secretary thanked Raab for his recent statements recognizing the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Iranian Quds Force and made clear that the United States remains committed to de-escalation.
France
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss President Trump’s recent decision to take defensive action by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives. The Secretary reiterated the shared interests with our European allies in countering the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities in the region, and he underscored the Trump Administration’s resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners.
Germany
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to discuss President Trump’s recent decision to take defensive action to eliminate Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives. The Secretary thanked Maas for Germany’s recent statements expressing concern over the Iranian regime’s continued military provocations and made clear that the United States remains committed to de-escalation.
Pakistan
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Pakistani Chief of Staff General Bajwa to discuss President Trump’s recent decision to take defensive action by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives. The Secretary underscored the Iranian regime’s destabilizing actions through the region and the Trump Administration’s resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners.
Saudi Arabia
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud by phone today from his office in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo discussed President Trump’s recent decision to take decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad. The Secretary thanked the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support and for recognizing the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force. He made clear that the United States remains committed to de-escalation.
United Arab Emirates
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. The Secretary discussed President Trump’s recent decision to take decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives. The Secretary thanked the Crown Prince for his partnership and for recognizing the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force. He made clear that the United States remains committed to de-escalation.
January 4, 2019
Bahrain
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Bahraini Crown Prince al-Khalifa to discuss the situation in Iraq as well as Iran’s continued provocations and threats to the region. Secretary Pompeo thanked the Crown Prince for the work he and his people do to keep American diplomats and service members safe in his country. He underscored the Trump Administration’s resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners.
India
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss Iran’s continued provocations and threats to the region.
Israel
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation in Iraq as well as Iran’s continued provocations and threats to the region. The Secretary underscored the Trump Administration’s resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners.
Qatar
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani to discuss Iran’s continued provocations and threats to the region. The Secretary thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for Qatar’s efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
Turkey
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss President Trump’s recent decision to take defensive action in response to imminent threats to American lives. Secretary Pompeo reiterated the importance of countering the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities in the region and underscored the Trump Administration’s resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners.
January 5, 2019
January 9, 2019
NATO
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg regarding the Iranian regime’s dangerous attack against Ayn al-Asad and Erbil Air Bases, and the continued threat Iran poses to the region. Secretary Pompeo reiterated President Trump’s call for NATO to become more involved in the Middle East, and the two agreed NATO could contribute more to regional security and the fight against international terrorism. The Secretary and the Secretary General jointly condemned Iran’s destabilizing violence and remain committed to countering international terrorism, including through NATO’s participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Iraq
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdel-Mahdi today. Secretary Pompeo reiterated the United States’ condemnation of the Iranian regime’s January 7 launch of ballistic missiles into two sites in Iraq that host Iraqi, American, and Coalition forces working together to defeat ISIS. The Secretary underscored that, as President Trump has said, the United States will do whatever it takes to protect the American and Iraqi people and defend our collective interests.