Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a shot at former President Barack Obama when describing this administration’s approach to dealing with Iran, noting they didn’t send the terrorist-harboring nation “pallets of cash.”
Instead, they sent one of their top military generals, Qassem Soleimani, a man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers, a trio of missiles.
Pompeo explained that President Trump’s approach to dealing with rogue terrorist nations is “fundamentally different” than the path taken by Obama.
“We didn’t send pallets of cash to the Iranians. We didn’t pay for hostages. We didn’t create a deal which would have given them a clear pathway to a nuclear weapon,” he told Fox News.
Obama famously gave nearly $2 billion to Iran as leverage to ensure three American prisoners were released around the time of the failed nuclear deal.
Money “was flown into Iran on wooden pallets stacked with Swiss francs, euros and other currencies,” CNN reported at the time.
“We have taken a very different approach,” Pompeo contrasted. “We believe it’s the one that will ultimately lead to success and stability in the Middle East.”
RELATED: US Airstrike Takes Out Iran Terrorist Leader Qassem Soleimani, World Celebrates Democrats Distraught
“We took a different approach, we didn’t send pallets of cash to Iran or pay for hostages.” Pompeo to former Obama officials: ‘Get off the stage’
“They need to let this President continue his maximum pressure campaign.” @SecPompeohttps://t.co/Oh0DmQMmaN— Debbie Aldrich ?? (@DebbieAAldrich) January 3, 2020
Blasts Critics
Pompeo blasted Democrat critics of the President’s actions in taking out a known terrorist just days after an attack on a U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
He noted that Soleimani had “American lives and blood on his hands,” and the soft policies of Trump’s predecessor weren’t going to be effective.
The Secretary of State also suggested intelligence had shown the general had been planning an “imminent attack” on American forces.
“He [Soleimani] was actively plotting in the region to take actions … that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk,” Pompeo said in a segment on CNN.
RELATED: Iran President Admits Trump’s Sanctions Wiped Out Obama’s Nuclear Deal, Pallets of Cash
.@SecPompeo says Iran’s top military leader Qasem Soleimani was actively plotting in the Middle East and that “President Trump’s decision to remove Qasem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives.”https://t.co/jsfwGuBY8l pic.twitter.com/66XTgFacwh
— New Day (@NewDay) January 3, 2020
Iran Knows They’re Not Dealing With Obama Anymore
Today’s attack and the response by President Trump concerning the embassy attack in Baghdad, organized by pro-Tehran mobs, is a clear indication Iran is no longer dealing with a feckless leader like Obama.
It was just a couple of days ago that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei taunted President Trump over the embassy assault.
“You can’t do anything,” Khamenei said.
“You can’t do anything.”
Ask Soleimani.#TweetsThatDidntAgeWell
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) January 3, 2020
Three rockets launched at Baghdad International Airport, killing at least seven people including Soleimani, reveal otherwise.
“I think the Iranian leadership understands President Trump will take action,” Pompeo correctly stated. “We made very clear that these responses would be swift and decisive. We have now demonstrated that.”
Pompeo suggested it would be wise on Iran’s part to deescalate, otherwise “President Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately.”
It’d be wise if they heed his warning this time around.
