Exasperated Europeans face surprise Pompeo visit on Iran

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo leaves a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, May 13 2019. Pompeo made a surprise visit to Brussels as European Union foreign ministers meet to discuss ways to salvage the landmark Iran nuclear accord that Washington has abandoned. Picture: GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERT/BLOOMBER G

“I made clear once again that we are worried in view of the developments and the tensions in the region,” German foreign minister Heiko Maas said. “We don’t want a military escalation.” “He’s always welcome obviously, but there are no precise plans for the moment,” European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said earlier in the day. Later she said she would convene with him after the EU meeting was finished.

While it did not directly accuse Iran, the incidents add to a febrile atmosphere in the world’s most important chokepoint for oil shipments as Trump dials up the pressure.It is the latest turn between the US and erstwhile European allies grappling with Trump’s hectoring on trade, defence spending and Chinese technology.

The US, meanwhile, has dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber force to the region, cementing its confrontational stance — and leaving Europeans with few options. And even as they reject a 60-day ultimatum presented by Iran, European leaders are laying blame with the White House.

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