Pompeo: Eagerly Awaiting Meeting with Iranian-Americans

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday, July 18, that he is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to speak before a gathering of Iranian-American citizens in California.

The U.S. Secretary of State is scheduled to speak on July 22 at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

Mike Pompeo wrote on his Twitter account: “We support the proud people of Iran in their struggle for freedom, justice, and respect for human rights.”

According to a senior State Department official, several American lawmakers, including Ed Royce and Tom Cotton, are expected to accompany Pompeo at this event.

A State Department official who requested anonymity said on Thursday that in his speech, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will address issues including the approaching fortieth anniversary of the 1979 revolution, corruption, and pressure on religious minorities.

Regarding the travel ban on Iranians to America, the State Department official said: “…We are very eager to see a day when the Iranian regime complies with our national and public security standards, and at that time we can review these restrictions and find ways for legitimate travel to the United States.”

Referring to the Donald Trump administration’s strategy in dealing with Iran, he said: “If Iran changes its behavior and acts like a normal country, we have put on the table the possibility of an ‘allied’ relationship with the United States for them.”

According to the U.S. State Department official, Pompeo will also discuss at this event “support for the legitimate demands of the Iranian people and especially their economic demands for a better life” and will also address America’s recent campaign for maximum economic pressure and diplomatic isolation of the Iranian government.

Regarding the invitees to this event and the invitation of the Mujahedin Organization, the senior State Department official said he has no information on this matter but does not think such an invitation has been extended.

In a report by Politico regarding the U.S. Secretary of State’s meeting with the Iranian community in California, it has been noted that there is no consensus among Iranians about attending this event.

The publication writes that many Iranian-Americans are highly educated and affluent, and generally are dissatisfied with the Iranian government, but disagree on this event and Donald Trump’s policies.

According to the publication, while groups such as the Mujahedin-e Khalq have supported America’s withdrawal from the JCPOA, on the other hand, many Iranians oppose America’s withdrawal from the JCPOA and believe that sanctions are putting pressure on ordinary Iranian people.

According to the newspaper, one of the major concerns of Iranian-Americans is the travel ban on citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries, which has affected Iranians the most.

The publication adds that there are those who oppose the current U.S. government’s policies, but nevertheless welcome direct engagement between the government and the Iranian-American community.

Politico writes that the guest list has not yet been announced, and the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization has also not responded to the publication regarding the possible attendance of its representatives.

According to the publication, the office of Reza Pahlavi, son of Mohammad Reza Shah, also responded by saying it is aware of this event and that Reza Pahlavi is a “supporter and encourager” of such dialogues.

Source: Radio Farda