US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet North Korea's number two Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday, the State Department said.

They "will discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization," a statement said, referring to the agreement signed at a June summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The meeting comes with the two sides at loggerheads nearly five months after the summit, in which Trump and Kim pledged to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea's foreign ministry has warned that Pyongyang will "seriously" consider reviving its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-urges-strict-un-sanctions-until-north-korea-acts-on-denuclearisation-153455">nuclear weapons programme</a>&nbsp;unless US sanctions are lifted.

In announcing the meeting with Kim Jong Chol on Sunday, Pompeo said he expected to "make some real progress" including on laying the groundwork for a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Kim Yong Chol is a general, a former top intelligence chief and right-hand man to the North Korean leader.

He visited the White House in the diplomatic run-up to the Singapore summit, and has been Pompeo's chief interlocutor in the months since.

In mid-October, Pompeo evoked the possibility of a second summit, preceded by talks with Kim Yong Chol.

"We're working on finding dates and times and places that will work for each of the two leaders," Pompeo said at the time.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet North Korea's number two Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday, the State Department said. They "will discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization," a statement said, referring to the agreement signed at a June summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet North Korea's number two Kim Yong Chol in New York on Thursday, the State Department said. They "will discuss making progress on all four pillars of the Singapore Summit joint statement, including achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization," a statement said, referring to the agreement signed at a June summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The meeting comes with the two sides at loggerheads nearly five months after the summit, in which Trump and Kim pledged to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. North Korea's foreign ministry has warned that Pyongyang will "seriously" consider reviving its nuclear weapons programme unless US sanctions are lifted. In announcing the meeting with Kim Jong Chol on Sunday, Pompeo said he expected to "make some real progress" including on laying the groundwork for a second summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un. Kim Yong Chol is a general, a former top intelligence chief and right-hand man to the North Korean leader. He visited the White House in the diplomatic run-up to the Singapore summit, and has been Pompeo's chief interlocutor in the months since. In mid-October, Pompeo evoked the possibility of a second summit, preceded by talks with Kim Yong Chol. "We're working on finding dates and times and places that will work for each of the two leaders," Pompeo said at the time.

US's Mike Pompeo to meet North Korean no. 2 on Thursday

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-give-iran-oil-sanctions-waiver-to-eight-countries-including-india-south-korea-japan-report-175107"> said today that eight countries</a> would be exempt from Iran oil sanctions set to kick-in next week.

The US secretary of state said the import of oil will be allowed at a much lower level than currently being done.

Bloomberg had earlier said that South Korea, India and Japan were among the countries to be allowed the waiver, although Pompeo did not confirm it. The announcement will be made on Monday.

Pompeo said that the European Union as a whole, which has 28 members, would not receive a waiver.

Pompeo said the reimposition of sanctions "is aimed at depriving the regime of the revenues it uses to spread death and destruction around the world."

"Our ultimate aim is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country," Pompeo added.

South Korea had earlier asked Pompeo for "maximum flexibility" for the Iran oil waiver while Turkey and China have consistently resisted calls by the Trump administration to cut back on Iran oil.

Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin also said US wants Brussels-based SWIFT to cut off Iranian financial institutions from&nbsp;Monday. Under US law, Washington can sanction the financial institutions of foreign countries that fail to significantly reduce their purchases of Iranian oil and petroleum products.

National security adviser John Bolton had said earlier that the US does not want to harm "friends and allies" that depend on Iran oil.

The US accused Iran of diverting money in conflict zones in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East and also of running a covert nuclear and missile program which is vehemently denied by the Rohani government

The US government sanctions are set to come into effect on November 5th.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned Iranians they face hard times when new US sanctions take effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said today that eight countries would be exempt from Iran oil sanctions set to kick-in next week. The US secretary of state said the import of oil will be allowed at a much lower level than currently being done.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said today that eight countries would be exempt from Iran oil sanctions set to kick-in next week. The US secretary of state said the import of oil will be allowed at a much lower level than currently being done. Bloomberg had earlier said that South Korea, India and Japan were among the countries to be allowed the waiver, although Pompeo did not confirm it. The announcement will be made on Monday. Pompeo said that the European Union as a whole, which has 28 members, would not receive a waiver. Pompeo said the reimposition of sanctions "is aimed at depriving the regime of the revenues it uses to spread death and destruction around the world." "Our ultimate aim is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country," Pompeo added. South Korea had earlier asked Pompeo for "maximum flexibility" for the Iran oil waiver while Turkey and China have consistently resisted calls by the Trump administration to cut back on Iran oil. Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin also said US wants Brussels-based SWIFT to cut off Iranian financial institutions from Monday. Under US law, Washington can sanction the financial institutions of foreign countries that fail to significantly reduce their purchases of Iranian oil and petroleum products. National security adviser John Bolton had said earlier that the US does not want to harm "friends and allies" that depend on Iran oil. The US accused Iran of diverting money in conflict zones in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East and also of running a covert nuclear and missile program which is vehemently denied by the Rohani government The US government sanctions are set to come into effect on November 5th. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned Iranians they face hard times when new US sanctions take effect.

Eight countries exempt from Iran oil sanctions: US secretary of state Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States was engaged in a "multi-pronged effort ... to convince China to behave like a normal nation on commerce" and respect international law after Washington indicted 10 Chinese nationals for stealing aviation secrets.

Speaking in a radio interview, Pompeo called China`s behaviour in stealing intellectual property "inappropriate" and "not consistent with being a superpower or a leader in the world."

"Stealing another country’s intellectual property, something China’s been engaged in to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, is just something China has to figure out a way to stop," he told the Brian Kilmeade Show.

Pompeo also told the Laura Ingraham radio show that over the long term, China was probably the biggest national security challenge facing the United States and the Trump administration was pushing back "on all fronts."

"Where the semiconductor piece fits in is it’s part of a mosaic of our strategic effort to push back against this continued Chinese effort," he said.

"It is a multipronged effort on behalf of all of the United States Government, at the President’s direction, to convince China to behave like a normal nation on commerce and with respect to the rules of international law," he said.

A US indictment unsealed on Tuesday said Chinese intelligence officers conspired with hackers and company insiders to break into computer systems of private firms to steal information on a turbo fan engine used in commercial jetliners.

It was the third major corporate espionage-related case involving Chinese intelligence officers brought by the Justice Department since last month and comes at a time when Washington is embroiled in a major trade war with Beijing.&nbsp;

The United States and China have slapped tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods over the past few months, sparked by US President Donald Trump's demands for an end to alleged Chinese intellectual property theft, deep cuts to industrial subsidies, and action to correct a major US trade deficit with China.

Early this month, US Vice President Mike Pence intensified Washington's pressure campaign against Beijing by accusing China of "malign" efforts to undermine Trump ahead of next Tuesday's congressional elections and reckless military actions in the disputed South China Sea, a major Asian trade route.

China has rejected the charges.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States was engaged in a "multi-pronged effort ... to convince China to behave like a normal nation on commerce" and respect international law after Washington indicted 10 Chinese nationals for stealing aviation secrets.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States was engaged in a "multi-pronged effort ... to convince China to behave like a normal nation on commerce" and respect international law after Washington indicted 10 Chinese nationals for stealing aviation secrets. Speaking in a radio interview, Pompeo called China`s behaviour in stealing intellectual property "inappropriate" and "not consistent with being a superpower or a leader in the world." "Stealing another country’s intellectual property, something China’s been engaged in to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, is just something China has to figure out a way to stop," he told the Brian Kilmeade Show. Pompeo also told the Laura Ingraham radio show that over the long term, China was probably the biggest national security challenge facing the United States and the Trump administration was pushing back "on all fronts." "Where the semiconductor piece fits in is it’s part of a mosaic of our strategic effort to push back against this continued Chinese effort," he said. "It is a multipronged effort on behalf of all of the United States Government, at the President’s direction, to convince China to behave like a normal nation on commerce and with respect to the rules of international law," he said. A US indictment unsealed on Tuesday said Chinese intelligence officers conspired with hackers and company insiders to break into computer systems of private firms to steal information on a turbo fan engine used in commercial jetliners. It was the third major corporate espionage-related case involving Chinese intelligence officers brought by the Justice Department since last month and comes at a time when Washington is embroiled in a major trade war with Beijing. The United States and China have slapped tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods over the past few months, sparked by US President Donald Trump's demands for an end to alleged Chinese intellectual property theft, deep cuts to industrial subsidies, and action to correct a major US trade deficit with China. Early this month, US Vice President Mike Pence intensified Washington's pressure campaign against Beijing by accusing China of "malign" efforts to undermine Trump ahead of next Tuesday's congressional elections and reckless military actions in the disputed South China Sea, a major Asian trade route. China has rejected the charges.

Pompeo says US trying to convince China 'to behave like a normal nation'

President Trump kept the heat on the Saudi Arabian government over the disappearance&nbsp;of Jamal Khashoggi asserting that it "would be bad" if they know about the Saudi journalist's fate.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-salman-agrees-to-thorough-transparent-investigation-into-case-of-missing-journalist-171805">Also Read:&nbsp;Saudi Crown Prince Salman agrees to 'thorough, transparent' investigation into missing journalist case</a>

"It depends whether or not the King or the Crown Prince knew about it, in my opinion, number one what happened but whether or not they knew about it. If they knew about it, that would be bad. If they didn't know about it, bad things can happen," Trump told a US media channel.

However, in another interview to a newswire, Trump had said that Saudi Arabia should be "presumed innocent until proven guilty"&nbsp;comparing it to Justice Kavanaugh's sexual assault controversy.

"Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent," he said. "I don't like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I'm concerned."

"I think we have to find out what happened first," Trump had said.

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Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate. He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1052268011900555265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who visited Saudi Arabia for a face-to-face with Crown Prince Salman to inquire about &nbsp;Khashoggi, said that Saudi leaders have promised to ensure accountability over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials," Pompeo said.

The US secretary of state said the Saudi leadership "strongly denied any knowledge of what took place in their consulate in Istanbul."

Jamal Khashoggi had entered the Saudi Arabian embassy in Istabul on October 2nd according to CCTV footage released by Turkey, however,&nbsp;he never exited even as his fiancee waited outside.

Later Turkey accussed Saudi Arabia of killing the journalist who was a known critic of the Saudi leadrship headed by Prince Salman. Turkey accused the Saudis of killing Khashoggi inside the premises and dismembering his body.

Saudi Arabia has flatly denied all accussations and threatned to take action against any country which moves against it.

During his visit, Pompeo said Prince Salman "pledged that the work of the Saudi public prosecutor will produce a full and complete conclusion with full transparency for the world to see."emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation, and the Saudi leadership pledged to deliver precisely on that," Pompeo added. 
&nbsp;

President Trump kept the heat on the Saudi Arabian government over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi asserting that it "would be bad" if they know about the Saudi journalist's fate.

President Trump kept the heat on the Saudi Arabian government over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi asserting that it "would be bad" if they know about the Saudi journalist's fate. Also Read: Saudi Crown Prince Salman agrees to 'thorough, transparent' investigation into missing journalist case "It depends whether or not the King or the Crown Prince knew about it, in my opinion, number one what happened but whether or not they knew about it. If they knew about it, that would be bad. If they didn't know about it, bad things can happen," Trump told a US media channel. However, in another interview to a newswire, Trump had said that Saudi Arabia should be "presumed innocent until proven guilty" comparing it to Justice Kavanaugh's sexual assault controversy. "Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent," he said. "I don't like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I'm concerned." "I think we have to find out what happened first," Trump had said. Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate. He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018 × Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who visited Saudi Arabia for a face-to-face with Crown Prince Salman to inquire about Khashoggi, said that Saudi leaders have promised to ensure accountability over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials," Pompeo said. The US secretary of state said the Saudi leadership "strongly denied any knowledge of what took place in their consulate in Istanbul." Jamal Khashoggi had entered the Saudi Arabian embassy in Istabul on October 2nd according to CCTV footage released by Turkey, however, he never exited even as his fiancee waited outside. Later Turkey accussed Saudi Arabia of killing the journalist who was a known critic of the Saudi leadrship headed by Prince Salman. Turkey accused the Saudis of killing Khashoggi inside the premises and dismembering his body. Saudi Arabia has flatly denied all accussations and threatned to take action against any country which moves against it. During his visit, Pompeo said Prince Salman "pledged that the work of the Saudi public prosecutor will produce a full and complete conclusion with full transparency for the world to see."emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation, and the Saudi leadership pledged to deliver precisely on that," Pompeo added.

Bad things can happen if Saudi Arabia knows about Khashoggi, warns Trump

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Panama and Mexico this week to meet with top leaders and discuss "defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua," aong other regional issues, the US&nbsp;Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday.

Pompeo will meet with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela in Panama City on Thursday and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Friday, among other top officials, the department said, adding that immigration, narcotic drugs and terrorism will also be discussed.

Pompeo&nbsp;met Turkey's President and Foreign Minister on Wednesday to discuss the disappearance of a Saudi journalist as pressure mounted on the kingdom to provide answers following Turkish allegations he was killed.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt on Tuesday even as US&nbsp;lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and&nbsp;Pompeo, sent by Trump to address the crisis, discussed the affair with Saudi King Salman and his Crown Prince on a visit to Riyadh.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;would provide information about the case after Khashoggi, a US&nbsp;resident, vanished during a visit to the consulate on Oct. 2 to collect marriage documents.

Turkish police on Wednesday began a search at the residence of the Saudi consul to Istanbul, in the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in the city, according to an AFP correspondent.

A team of a dozen police and prosecutors, including forensics experts in white overalls, entered the residence of Mohammed al-Otaibi, a day after he flew out of Istanbul for Riyadh.

Earlier in the day, a Saudi delegation had also arrived at the building to take part in what is presented as a joint search with their Turkish counterparts.

Turkish police had on Monday searched the consulate building itself for over eight hours, taking away soil and DNA samples for further examination.

Khashoggi, a former regime insider who became critical of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wrote articles for titles including the Washington Post. He has not been seen since he stepped inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed there although this has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Panama and Mexico this week to meet with top leaders and discuss "defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua," aong other regional issues, the US Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Panama and Mexico this week to meet with top leaders and discuss "defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua," aong other regional issues, the US Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday. Pompeo will meet with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela in Panama City on Thursday and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Friday, among other top officials, the department said, adding that immigration, narcotic drugs and terrorism will also be discussed. Pompeo met Turkey's President and Foreign Minister on Wednesday to discuss the disappearance of a Saudi journalist as pressure mounted on the kingdom to provide answers following Turkish allegations he was killed. US President Donald Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt on Tuesday even as US lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and Pompeo, sent by Trump to address the crisis, discussed the affair with Saudi King Salman and his Crown Prince on a visit to Riyadh. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said Pompeo would provide information about the case after Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished during a visit to the consulate on Oct. 2 to collect marriage documents. Turkish police on Wednesday began a search at the residence of the Saudi consul to Istanbul, in the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in the city, according to an AFP correspondent. A team of a dozen police and prosecutors, including forensics experts in white overalls, entered the residence of Mohammed al-Otaibi, a day after he flew out of Istanbul for Riyadh. Earlier in the day, a Saudi delegation had also arrived at the building to take part in what is presented as a joint search with their Turkish counterparts. Turkish police had on Monday searched the consulate building itself for over eight hours, taking away soil and DNA samples for further examination. Khashoggi, a former regime insider who became critical of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wrote articles for titles including the Washington Post. He has not been seen since he stepped inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed there although this has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia.

US's Pompeo to visit Panama, Mexico to discuss Venezuela, other issues

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/perfect-storm-of-hunger-climate-change-conflict-coming-warns-un-171765">'Perfect storm' of hunger, climate change &amp; conflict coming, warns UN</a>

A potent combination of hunger, climate change and man-made conflicts are creating a "perfect storm", the head of the UN's food arm warned Tuesday in a call to action on World Food Day.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-tells-saudis-us-is-concerned-about-missing-journalist-khashoggi-171772">Saudis agree to 'thorough' probe needed into journalist's disappearance, says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-tells-saudis-us-is-concerned-about-missing-journalist-khashoggi-171772">US</a>

The US on Tuesday said that Saudis have agreed to 'thorough' probe needed into journalist's disappearance.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-cm-warns-protestors-ahead-of-sabarimala-temple-reopening-171747">Won't allow anyone to take </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-cm-warns-protestors-ahead-of-sabarimala-temple-reopening-171747">law</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-cm-warns-protestors-ahead-of-sabarimala-temple-reopening-171747"> into own hands: Kerala CM warns protesters ahead of Sabarimala opening tomorrow</a>

Sending a stern message to the people protesting against the Supreme Court's ruling on Sabarimala temple, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that his government would not allow anyone to take the law and order into their hands.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/denmark-open-pv-sindhu-makes-shocking-first-round-exit-171743">Denmark Open: PV Sindhu makes shock exit in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/denmark-open-pv-sindhu-makes-shocking-first-round-exit-171743">first</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/denmark-open-pv-sindhu-makes-shocking-first-round-exit-171743"> round</a>

Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu crashed out of the Denmark Open with a stunning opening-round loss to American Beiwen Zhang in the women's singles event, here on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/allahabad-is-now-prayagraj-yogi-adityanath-cabinet-clears-renaming-proposal-171742">Allahabad is now Prayagraj: Yogi cabinet clears proposal to rename </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/allahabad-is-now-prayagraj-yogi-adityanath-cabinet-clears-renaming-proposal-171742">city</a>

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet Tuesday approved a proposal to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.

'Perfect storm' of hunger, climate change & conflict coming, warns UN A potent combination of hunger, climate change and man-made conflicts are creating a "perfect storm", the head of the UN's food arm warned Tuesday in a call to action on World Food Day.

'Perfect storm' of hunger, climate change & conflict coming, warns UN A potent combination of hunger, climate change and man-made conflicts are creating a "perfect storm", the head of the UN's food arm warned Tuesday in a call to action on World Food Day. Saudis agree to 'thorough' probe needed into journalist's disappearance, says US The US on Tuesday said that Saudis have agreed to 'thorough' probe needed into journalist's disappearance. Won't allow anyone to take law into own hands: Kerala CM warns protesters ahead of Sabarimala opening tomorrow Sending a stern message to the people protesting against the Supreme Court's ruling on Sabarimala temple, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that his government would not allow anyone to take the law and order into their hands. Denmark Open: PV Sindhu makes shock exit in first round Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu crashed out of the Denmark Open with a stunning opening-round loss to American Beiwen Zhang in the women's singles event, here on Tuesday. Allahabad is now Prayagraj: Yogi cabinet clears proposal to rename city The Uttar Pradesh cabinet Tuesday approved a proposal to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo began his visit with China meeting foreign minister Wang Yi who said the trade war has cast a shadow on China-US relations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-north-korea-ready-to-let-inspectors-into-missile-nuclear-sites-170136">Also Read: Pompeo says North Korea ready to let inspectors into </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-north-korea-ready-to-let-inspectors-into-missile-nuclear-sites-170136">missile</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-north-korea-ready-to-let-inspectors-into-missile-nuclear-sites-170136">, nuclear sites</a>

"US has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm China's rights," the Chinese foreign minister told the US secretary of state adding,"we believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust."

"We urge the United States to stop this kind of mistaken actions," Wang told Pompeo.

US has been involved in a&nbsp;trade war with China with President Trump levying tough tariffs against Chinese goods entering the American shores. Trump has said he would be forced to levy tariffs on all goods entering America in the future, if China did not adhere to US guidelines which involved reducing the trade deficit among others.

Pompeo in his response to Wang sought to steer the conversation towards US dialogue with North Korea and denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

"I do want to share with you my visit with North Korean chairman Kim Jong Un yesterday, and the progress we've made, and to make sure we are working together on our joint mission we've talked about before: the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," Pompeo told Wang without making direct reference the escalating trade war with China.

Pompeo that the US The US secretary he was ready to address all issues over which the US and China have fundamental disagreement, while asserting that the Trump administration has "great concerns about the actions that China has taken."

"I regret that the strategic dialogue between our two countries was something that you all chose not to undertake. It would have been an important opportunity for us to have discussions about this wider term, important issues, and certain opportunities for the people of our two countries," Pompeo told Wang.

During the meeting, both men openly disagreed over which side had called off a bilateral security dialogue that was due to take place in Beijing this month.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo began his visit with China meeting foreign minister Wang Yi who said the trade war has cast a shadow on China-US relations. Also Read: Pompeo says North Korea ready to let inspectors into missile, nuclear sites "US has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm China's rights," the Chinese foreign minister told the US secretary of state adding,"we believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo began his visit with China meeting foreign minister Wang Yi who said the trade war has cast a shadow on China-US relations. Also Read: Pompeo says North Korea ready to let inspectors into missile, nuclear sites "US has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm China's rights," the Chinese foreign minister told the US secretary of state adding,"we believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust." "We urge the United States to stop this kind of mistaken actions," Wang told Pompeo. US has been involved in a trade war with China with President Trump levying tough tariffs against Chinese goods entering the American shores. Trump has said he would be forced to levy tariffs on all goods entering America in the future, if China did not adhere to US guidelines which involved reducing the trade deficit among others. Pompeo in his response to Wang sought to steer the conversation towards US dialogue with North Korea and denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. "I do want to share with you my visit with North Korean chairman Kim Jong Un yesterday, and the progress we've made, and to make sure we are working together on our joint mission we've talked about before: the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," Pompeo told Wang without making direct reference the escalating trade war with China. Pompeo that the US The US secretary he was ready to address all issues over which the US and China have fundamental disagreement, while asserting that the Trump administration has "great concerns about the actions that China has taken." "I regret that the strategic dialogue between our two countries was something that you all chose not to undertake. It would have been an important opportunity for us to have discussions about this wider term, important issues, and certain opportunities for the people of our two countries," Pompeo told Wang. During the meeting, both men openly disagreed over which side had called off a bilateral security dialogue that was due to take place in Beijing this month.

US constantly escalating trade friction: Chinese foreign minister Wang to Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped to accelerate a second summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump as he kicked off an Asian trip Saturday featuring a meeting with North Korea's leader.

Pompeo arrived in Tokyo on the first leg of a tour that will take him to Pyongyang for a fourth time as the contours of a possibly historic US-North Korea deal take shape.

Speaking on the plane on the way from the United States, Pompeo said his aim was to "develop sufficient trust" between the historic foes to inch towards peace.

"Then we are also going to set up the next summit," said Pompeo.

However, he played down expectations for a major breakthrough, saying: "I doubt we will get it nailed but begin to develop options for both location and timing for when Chairman Kim will meet with the president again."

"Maybe we will get further than that."

In June, Trump met Kim in Singapore in the first-ever summit between the countries. 
No sitting US president has visited North Korea, which according to human rights groups remains one of the most repressive countries on Earth.

Since the Singapore summit, which yielded what critics charge was a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the road towards better ties has been bumpy.

Trump scrapped a previously planned trip by his top diplomat to Pyongyang after what he said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration.

But the unorthodox US president has also declared himself "in love" with the strongman in Pyongyang.

Pompeo has repeatedly declined to be drawn out publicly on the shape of an eventual agreement. The United States has called for a comprehensive accord and strict enforcement of sanctions on North Korea in the meantime.

'Grand bargain'

Pompeo kicks off his trip in Tokyo, holding talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono.

Japan, which has seen North Korean missiles fly over its territory and been threatened with annihilation, has historically taken a hard line on Pyongyang and stressed the need to maintain pressure on the regime.

More recently, however, Abe has said the only way to improve strained ties is a face-to-face meeting with former international pariah Kim.

After Tokyo, Pompeo travels to Pyongyang and then on to South Korea, whose dovish president Moon Jae-in has served as a go-between for the two sides.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like.

In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site. 
In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a full-blown peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said.

Pompeo refused to be drawn on the outlines of a deal, saying only that his "mission is to make sure that we understand what each side is truly trying to achieve."

After Seoul, Pompeo closes his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline.

The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped to accelerate a second summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump as he kicked off an Asian trip Saturday featuring a meeting with North Korea's leader.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped to accelerate a second summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump as he kicked off an Asian trip Saturday featuring a meeting with North Korea's leader. Pompeo arrived in Tokyo on the first leg of a tour that will take him to Pyongyang for a fourth time as the contours of a possibly historic US-North Korea deal take shape. Speaking on the plane on the way from the United States, Pompeo said his aim was to "develop sufficient trust" between the historic foes to inch towards peace. "Then we are also going to set up the next summit," said Pompeo. However, he played down expectations for a major breakthrough, saying: "I doubt we will get it nailed but begin to develop options for both location and timing for when Chairman Kim will meet with the president again." "Maybe we will get further than that." In June, Trump met Kim in Singapore in the first-ever summit between the countries. No sitting US president has visited North Korea, which according to human rights groups remains one of the most repressive countries on Earth. Since the Singapore summit, which yielded what critics charge was a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the road towards better ties has been bumpy. Trump scrapped a previously planned trip by his top diplomat to Pyongyang after what he said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration. But the unorthodox US president has also declared himself "in love" with the strongman in Pyongyang. Pompeo has repeatedly declined to be drawn out publicly on the shape of an eventual agreement. The United States has called for a comprehensive accord and strict enforcement of sanctions on North Korea in the meantime. 'Grand bargain' Pompeo kicks off his trip in Tokyo, holding talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono. Japan, which has seen North Korean missiles fly over its territory and been threatened with annihilation, has historically taken a hard line on Pyongyang and stressed the need to maintain pressure on the regime. More recently, however, Abe has said the only way to improve strained ties is a face-to-face meeting with former international pariah Kim. After Tokyo, Pompeo travels to Pyongyang and then on to South Korea, whose dovish president Moon Jae-in has served as a go-between for the two sides. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like. In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site. In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a full-blown peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said. Pompeo refused to be drawn on the outlines of a deal, saying only that his "mission is to make sure that we understand what each side is truly trying to achieve." After Seoul, Pompeo closes his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline. The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

Pompeo eyes progress over Trump-Kim summit on Asia trip

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is expected to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US National Security Advisor John Bolton at the White House on Tuesday, reports said.

Qureshi arrived in the US on Sunday for bilateral talks with the officials after his trip to New York for the United Nation's General Assembly session. &nbsp;

His first stop is expected to be the White House where he will meet Bolton for talks on untangling Pakistan's ruffled relations with the US.&nbsp;

He will then proceed to the US State Department for his second meeting with the Secretary of State.

On Monday, Qureshi will meet Pakistani diplomats and experts to prepare for the crucial talks that are to be held on Tuesday.

Pompeo and Qureshi first met in Islamabad in September when the US approached the new Pakistani government to discuss key issues that have strained decades-old ties between the two countries.

It was during his Islamabad visit that Pompeo invited the Pakistani foreign minister to visit Washington for further talks.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is expected to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US National Security Advisor John Bolton at the White House on Tuesday, reports said.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is expected to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US National Security Advisor John Bolton at the White House on Tuesday, reports said. Qureshi arrived in the US on Sunday for bilateral talks with the officials after his trip to New York for the United Nation's General Assembly session. His first stop is expected to be the White House where he will meet Bolton for talks on untangling Pakistan's ruffled relations with the US. He will then proceed to the US State Department for his second meeting with the Secretary of State. On Monday, Qureshi will meet Pakistani diplomats and experts to prepare for the crucial talks that are to be held on Tuesday. Pompeo and Qureshi first met in Islamabad in September when the US approached the new Pakistani government to discuss key issues that have strained decades-old ties between the two countries. It was during his Islamabad visit that Pompeo invited the Pakistani foreign minister to visit Washington for further talks.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi expected to meet Pompeo, NSA over US-Pak relations 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was working to set up the next summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but any meeting will likely be after October.

"We're working diligently to make sure we get the conditions right so that we can accomplish as much as possible during the summit. But we hope it will be soon," Pompeo said in an interview with "CBS This Morning."

"It may happen in October, but more likely sometime after that."

A day before while addressing the United Nations General Assembly Trump praised North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un for his courage in taking some steps to disarm.

He, however, added that much work was needed to be done and sanctions must remain in place on North Korea until it denuclearizes.

Calling his relations with North Korea as improved ties he further praised Kim Jong Un for halting nuclear and missile tests and returning some US remains from the 1950s Korean War.

Trump's remarks on North Korea were dramatically different to those in his speech last year at the UN assembly when he threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea and mocked the North Korean leader as "Rocket Man" on a "suicide mission."

Trump held an unprecedented summit with Kim in Singapore in June that yielded a broad pledge by Kim to "work toward" denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

Kim’s commitments and actions, however, have fallen far short of Washington’s demands for a complete inventory of North Korea’s weapons programs and irreversible steps to give up a nuclear arsenal that potentially threatens the United States.

"It will take a while; there will be a process to this," Pompeo said. "President Trump's been clear about that and clear-eyed about that since the very beginning."

Asked if Kim had agreed to allow international inspectors into nuclear sites, Pompeo said, "Yes."

He did not, though, comment on whether any US or international inspectors had been allowed into nuclear sites in the reclusive communist country but said verification was important in any nuclear agreement.

"We've talked about this verification from the beginning," he told CBS. "We're not going to buy a pig in a poke. We're going to get this right. We're going to deliver on this commitment (to denuclearize) that Chairman Kim has made to the world."

Pompeo said he would be going to Pyongyang soon but did not give a date.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was working to set up the next summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but any meeting will likely be after October.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was working to set up the next summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but any meeting will likely be after October. "We're working diligently to make sure we get the conditions right so that we can accomplish as much as possible during the summit. But we hope it will be soon," Pompeo said in an interview with "CBS This Morning." "It may happen in October, but more likely sometime after that." A day before while addressing the United Nations General Assembly Trump praised North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un for his courage in taking some steps to disarm. He, however, added that much work was needed to be done and sanctions must remain in place on North Korea until it denuclearizes. Calling his relations with North Korea as improved ties he further praised Kim Jong Un for halting nuclear and missile tests and returning some US remains from the 1950s Korean War. Trump's remarks on North Korea were dramatically different to those in his speech last year at the UN assembly when he threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea and mocked the North Korean leader as "Rocket Man" on a "suicide mission." Trump held an unprecedented summit with Kim in Singapore in June that yielded a broad pledge by Kim to "work toward" denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Kim’s commitments and actions, however, have fallen far short of Washington’s demands for a complete inventory of North Korea’s weapons programs and irreversible steps to give up a nuclear arsenal that potentially threatens the United States. "It will take a while; there will be a process to this," Pompeo said. "President Trump's been clear about that and clear-eyed about that since the very beginning." Asked if Kim had agreed to allow international inspectors into nuclear sites, Pompeo said, "Yes." He did not, though, comment on whether any US or international inspectors had been allowed into nuclear sites in the reclusive communist country but said verification was important in any nuclear agreement. "We've talked about this verification from the beginning," he told CBS. "We're not going to buy a pig in a poke. We're going to get this right. We're going to deliver on this commitment (to denuclearize) that Chairman Kim has made to the world." Pompeo said he would be going to Pyongyang soon but did not give a date. (With inputs from Reuters)

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Trump-Kim summit more likely after October: Report

The US is not interested in regime change in Tehran, but wants it to change its behaviour and stop continuing with their terror threats to the world, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday as he described Iran as the world's "largest state sponsor of terror".

Earlier this year, the Trump administration had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

While the first phase of sanctions is already in place, the sanctions would come into full force on November 4 and the US expects all countries, including India, to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero by then.

"We have made very clear that regime change is not President (Donald) Trump's policy. We've laid out what it is we want from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Pompeo told MSNBC in an interview.

The demand from the US, he said, is pretty straightforward.&nbsp;

"For starters, stop launching missiles into Riyadh, arming Hizbollah, and threatening Israel. How about ceasing to be the world's largest state sponsor of terror. These are simple demands that we make of every country in the world, and that's what we are looking for from Iran as well," Pompeo said.

"When the Islamic regime makes that change, we'll be happy to have a conversation with them. President Trump's made that very clear. But there's no signs that they're backing off continuing their terror threats around the world," he said.

In another interview with CNN, Pompeo alleged that Iran has been confronting the world as the world's largest state sponsor of terror for quite some time.

"They have armed militias the Lebanese Hizbollah, Kata'ib Hizballah, and militias in Iraq. They are arming the Houthis in Yemen, launching missiles into the Gulf states. The US has begun to apply economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran to prevent them from doing this. That's our mission," he said.

The Trump administration, he said, has told the Islamic Republic of Iran that using a proxy force to attack an American interest will not prevent US from responding against the prime actor.&nbsp;

"That is, we will not let Iran get away with using a proxy force to attack an American interest. Iran will be held accountable for those incidents," he said.

Pompeo said that Iran is going to be held accountable for those acts. "If they're responsible for the arming and training of these militias, we're going to go to the source," he said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to be the world's largest state sponsor of terror," Pompeo told Fox News in another interview.

"We are determined to stop that behaviour and to change the way the Iranian regime inflicts horrors all around the world," he said.&nbsp;

A good piece of that was President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which to him made no sense whatsoever, to begin to reimpose costs on Iran so that they don't have the wealth, the contacts around the world, and the capacity to inflict harm on the American people and others around the world.&nbsp;

"We're looking for our European partners to join us, but we have a big coalition that understands that these sanctions make sense and will continue to assist us in enforcing them," Pompeo told Fox News.

The US is not interested in regime change in Tehran, but wants it to change its behaviour and stop continuing with their terror threats to the world, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday as he described Iran as the world's "largest state sponsor of terror".

The US is not interested in regime change in Tehran, but wants it to change its behaviour and stop continuing with their terror threats to the world, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday as he described Iran as the world's "largest state sponsor of terror". Earlier this year, the Trump administration had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran. While the first phase of sanctions is already in place, the sanctions would come into full force on November 4 and the US expects all countries, including India, to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero by then. "We have made very clear that regime change is not President (Donald) Trump's policy. We've laid out what it is we want from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Pompeo told MSNBC in an interview. The demand from the US, he said, is pretty straightforward. "For starters, stop launching missiles into Riyadh, arming Hizbollah, and threatening Israel. How about ceasing to be the world's largest state sponsor of terror. These are simple demands that we make of every country in the world, and that's what we are looking for from Iran as well," Pompeo said. "When the Islamic regime makes that change, we'll be happy to have a conversation with them. President Trump's made that very clear. But there's no signs that they're backing off continuing their terror threats around the world," he said. In another interview with CNN, Pompeo alleged that Iran has been confronting the world as the world's largest state sponsor of terror for quite some time. "They have armed militias the Lebanese Hizbollah, Kata'ib Hizballah, and militias in Iraq. They are arming the Houthis in Yemen, launching missiles into the Gulf states. The US has begun to apply economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran to prevent them from doing this. That's our mission," he said. The Trump administration, he said, has told the Islamic Republic of Iran that using a proxy force to attack an American interest will not prevent US from responding against the prime actor. "That is, we will not let Iran get away with using a proxy force to attack an American interest. Iran will be held accountable for those incidents," he said. Pompeo said that Iran is going to be held accountable for those acts. "If they're responsible for the arming and training of these militias, we're going to go to the source," he said. "The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to be the world's largest state sponsor of terror," Pompeo told Fox News in another interview. "We are determined to stop that behaviour and to change the way the Iranian regime inflicts horrors all around the world," he said. A good piece of that was President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which to him made no sense whatsoever, to begin to reimpose costs on Iran so that they don't have the wealth, the contacts around the world, and the capacity to inflict harm on the American people and others around the world. "We're looking for our European partners to join us, but we have a big coalition that understands that these sanctions make sense and will continue to assist us in enforcing them," Pompeo told Fox News.

Not interested in regime change but want Iran to change its behaviour: Pompeo

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday.

“You’ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks, who are working directly against the best interest of the Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said. “We’re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say.”

He did not give further details on the nature of the planned actions.

Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has steadily increased sanctions against officials in the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing it of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders.

Last year, Washington imposed sanctions prohibiting trading new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company PDVSA. It has imposed several rounds of sanctions on government officials, including on Maduro.

Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under Maduro, with annual inflation running at 200,000 per cent, and staple foods and basic medicine increasingly difficult to obtain, which has led to mass emigration.

Pompeo’s warning comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York next week attended by heads of state from around the world. Maduro has not attended the meetings since 2015 and this week said he may not attend the gathering because of concerns about his safety.

In August, two drones exploded over an outdoor rally in Caracas where Maduro was giving a speech, injuring seven soldiers and leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects, including several military officials. Maduro described it as an assassination attempt.

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday.

The United States is preparing a “series of actions” in the coming days to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Friday. “You’ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks, who are working directly against the best interest of the Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said. “We’re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say.” He did not give further details on the nature of the planned actions. Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration has steadily increased sanctions against officials in the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro, accusing it of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders. Last year, Washington imposed sanctions prohibiting trading new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company PDVSA. It has imposed several rounds of sanctions on government officials, including on Maduro. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed under Maduro, with annual inflation running at 200,000 per cent, and staple foods and basic medicine increasingly difficult to obtain, which has led to mass emigration. Pompeo’s warning comes ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York next week attended by heads of state from around the world. Maduro has not attended the meetings since 2015 and this week said he may not attend the gathering because of concerns about his safety. In August, two drones exploded over an outdoor rally in Caracas where Maduro was giving a speech, injuring seven soldiers and leading to the arrest of over a dozen suspects, including several military officials. Maduro described it as an assassination attempt.

US preparing 'actions' in coming days against Venezuela: Pompeo to Fox News

US: China is treating minorities horribly 

After meeting foreign ministers from South Korea and Japan, <a href="http://wionews.com/world/mikepompeo-says-north-korea-sanctions-to-remain-until-complete-denuclearisation-144374">US secretary of state Mike Pompeo</a> said that peace efforts with North Korea still involved risks as he urged Kim Jong-un to start denuclearising quickly.

"We believe that Kim Jong Un understands the urgency... that we must do this quickly," he said on North Korea dismantling its nuclear infrastructure.

"There are still risks that we won't achieve that goal and more work needs to be done," Pompeo cautioned.

After meeting the foreign minister, Pompeo met Chinese President Xi and foreign minister Wang Yi in Bejing today even as the threat of trade sanction loomed.

China President Xi Jinping told Mike Pompeo that the US and Beijing should make the most of bilateral mechanisms. Pompeo met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and said: "We have made very clear that the sanctions and the economic relief that North Korea will receive will only happen after the full denuclearisation, the complete denuclearisation&nbsp;of North Korea."

Wang said the denuclearisation process would be worked out "through more detailed and specific consultations going forward" and "China stands ready to play a constructive role in that process".

China which is the principal ally of North Korea wants its concerns to be addressed which was highlighted by Wang during his meeting with Pompeo. The US secretary of state had said earlier that he was looking forward to "major disarmament" by North Korea over the next two years.

As peace moves gathered momentum, the US decided to halt military drills along the Koran Peninsula which was announced by Trump during the Singapore summit with Kim. South Korean President &nbsp;President Moon Jae-in said although there were conflicting views but the Trump-Kim meeting was "successful".

However, the South Korean president cautioned that military drills would be kept off the agenda "if North Korea faithfully implements denuclearisation measures and sincere dialogue continues."

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxLrCgji9Jc" width="560"></iframe>

China President Xi Jinping told Mike Pompeo that the US and Beijing should make the most of bilateral mechanisms.

After meeting foreign ministers from South Korea and Japan, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that peace efforts with North Korea still involved risks as he urged Kim Jong-un to start denuclearising quickly. "We believe that Kim Jong Un understands the urgency... that we must do this quickly," he said on North Korea dismantling its nuclear infrastructure. "There are still risks that we won't achieve that goal and more work needs to be done," Pompeo cautioned. After meeting the foreign minister, Pompeo met Chinese President Xi and foreign minister Wang Yi in Bejing today even as the threat of trade sanction loomed. China President Xi Jinping told Mike Pompeo that the US and Beijing should make the most of bilateral mechanisms. Pompeo met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and said: "We have made very clear that the sanctions and the economic relief that North Korea will receive will only happen after the full denuclearisation, the complete denuclearisation of North Korea." Wang said the denuclearisation process would be worked out "through more detailed and specific consultations going forward" and "China stands ready to play a constructive role in that process". China which is the principal ally of North Korea wants its concerns to be addressed which was highlighted by Wang during his meeting with Pompeo. The US secretary of state had said earlier that he was looking forward to "major disarmament" by North Korea over the next two years. As peace moves gathered momentum, the US decided to halt military drills along the Koran Peninsula which was announced by Trump during the Singapore summit with Kim. South Korean President President Moon Jae-in said although there were conflicting views but the Trump-Kim meeting was "successful". However, the South Korean president cautioned that military drills would be kept off the agenda "if North Korea faithfully implements denuclearisation measures and sincere dialogue continues."

'There are still risks involved with North Korea,' cautions Pompeo

Two days after the historic <a href="http://wionews.com/world/japan-eying-abe-kim-summit-with-possible-pyongyang-visit-report-144274">Trump-Kim summit in Singapore</a>, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono met in Seoul today to work together to ensure North Korea keeps its promise of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

During the meeting, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said: "Kim Jong Un's public commitment to completely denuclearise is an important step towards to bring lasting peace and stability to Northeast Asia and indeed to the entire world," adding, "as the president said that this will be a process, and not an easy one, staying closely aligned with our allies."

Pompeo reiterated that Korea and Japan will be critical to the success of North Korea completely dismantling its nuclear infrastructure.

"The world should rest assured that the United States, South Korea and Japan remain committed to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea," the US secretary of state said.

The Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said his country was keen to resolve the nuclear and abductee issue and wanted to "normalise relations with North Korea" and could also offer "economic assistance" to North Korea.&nbsp;

Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said,&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; "I hope a bilateral summit between Japan and North Korea will be held as a step that can lead to resolving issues, including the abduction. I think various arrangements will be made for realising the summit."

According to a new report, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's office is arranging a meeting with &nbsp;North Korean leader Kim Jong-un possibly in August to discuss all outstanding issues with Abe possibly visiting Pyongyang to mee the North Korean leader.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C4OQVjhm9Zo" width="560"></iframe>

The Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said his country was keen to resolve the nuclear and abductee issue with North Korea

Two days after the historic Trump-Kim summit in Singapore, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono met in Seoul today to work together to ensure North Korea keeps its promise of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. During the meeting, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said: "Kim Jong Un's public commitment to completely denuclearise is an important step towards to bring lasting peace and stability to Northeast Asia and indeed to the entire world," adding, "as the president said that this will be a process, and not an easy one, staying closely aligned with our allies." Pompeo reiterated that Korea and Japan will be critical to the success of North Korea completely dismantling its nuclear infrastructure. "The world should rest assured that the United States, South Korea and Japan remain committed to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea," the US secretary of state said. The Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said his country was keen to resolve the nuclear and abductee issue and wanted to "normalise relations with North Korea" and could also offer "economic assistance" to North Korea. Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono said, "I hope a bilateral summit between Japan and North Korea will be held as a step that can lead to resolving issues, including the abduction. I think various arrangements will be made for realising the summit." According to a new report, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's office is arranging a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un possibly in August to discuss all outstanding issues with Abe possibly visiting Pyongyang to mee the North Korean leader.

After Kim-Trump summit, Pompeo in Seoul to meet foreign ministers from Japan and South Korea

The US should express publicly that China needs to engage in a meaningful and direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told lawmakers, ahead of his visit to Beijing.

In response to written questions from Members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo said he was committed to press for respect of human rights for Tibetans, including freedom of religion and belief, in his conversations with the Chinese officials, and advocating for the release of Tibetan political prisoners.

Pompeo will visit China tomorrow and will exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral ties and major global and regional issues of common concern , Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said today.

"I will recommend that the United States express publicly, and at the highest levels of government that Chinese authorities need to engage in meaningful and direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, to lower tensions and resolve differences," Pompeo said.

Pompeo said he will also raise concerns about the lack of regular access to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) for US journalists, diplomats, academics and others.

The written answers to the questions were submitted by Pompeo as part of his confirmation process. These answers were recently released by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The top American diplomat assured the lawmakers that he will fully implement the Tibetan Policy Act and in particular "will urge China to cease restrictions on the human rights of Tibetans as well as their religious, linguistic and cultural traditions and practices.

"I will be committed to pressing for respect for human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, in my conversations with Chinese officials, and advocating for the release of Tibetan political prisoners," he said.

On the issue of the Chinese government's interference on religious freedom and the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama, Pompeo committed himself to "press the Chinese government to respect the legitimacy of Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices. This includes the decisions of Tibetan Buddhists in selecting, educating, and venerating the lamas who lead the faith, such as the Dalai Lama," he said.

In its latest Tibet negotiations report sent to the Congress, the Trump administration said it was concerned by the Chinese government's interference in the selection, education and veneration of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders.

China says that the successor to the Dalai Lama must be chosen according to the religious rituals and historical conventions as well as the backing from the ruling Communist Party.

Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry said the successor to the Dharamshala-based 14th Dalai Lama must be chosen according to the religious rituals and historical conventions, including drawing of lots from the Golden Urn in front of the Shakyamuni (Buddha) statue at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, followed by the mandatory approval from the ruling Communist Party of China.

Since he fled Tibet in 1959 to escape from the Chinese occupation, the Dalai Lama, 82, has been keeping China on tenterhooks about his successor.&nbsp

Pompeo will visit China tomorrow and will exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral ties and major global and regional issues of common concern , Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said today

The US should express publicly that China needs to engage in a meaningful and direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told lawmakers, ahead of his visit to Beijing. In response to written questions from Members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo said he was committed to press for respect of human rights for Tibetans, including freedom of religion and belief, in his conversations with the Chinese officials, and advocating for the release of Tibetan political prisoners. Pompeo will visit China tomorrow and will exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral ties and major global and regional issues of common concern , Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said today. "I will recommend that the United States express publicly, and at the highest levels of government that Chinese authorities need to engage in meaningful and direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, to lower tensions and resolve differences," Pompeo said. Pompeo said he will also raise concerns about the lack of regular access to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) for US journalists, diplomats, academics and others. The written answers to the questions were submitted by Pompeo as part of his confirmation process. These answers were recently released by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The top American diplomat assured the lawmakers that he will fully implement the Tibetan Policy Act and in particular "will urge China to cease restrictions on the human rights of Tibetans as well as their religious, linguistic and cultural traditions and practices. "I will be committed to pressing for respect for human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, in my conversations with Chinese officials, and advocating for the release of Tibetan political prisoners," he said. On the issue of the Chinese government's interference on religious freedom and the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama, Pompeo committed himself to "press the Chinese government to respect the legitimacy of Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices. This includes the decisions of Tibetan Buddhists in selecting, educating, and venerating the lamas who lead the faith, such as the Dalai Lama," he said. In its latest Tibet negotiations report sent to the Congress, the Trump administration said it was concerned by the Chinese government's interference in the selection, education and veneration of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders. China says that the successor to the Dalai Lama must be chosen according to the religious rituals and historical conventions as well as the backing from the ruling Communist Party. Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry said the successor to the Dharamshala-based 14th Dalai Lama must be chosen according to the religious rituals and historical conventions, including drawing of lots from the Golden Urn in front of the Shakyamuni (Buddha) statue at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, followed by the mandatory approval from the ruling Communist Party of China. Since he fled Tibet in 1959 to escape from the Chinese occupation, the Dalai Lama, 82, has been keeping China on tenterhooks about his successor.

US should express China engages in direct dialogue with Dalai Lama: Pompeo

Pakistan should crackdown on terrorist safe havens and instigators of terrorist activities in its own country, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said today.

The US and others have long complained that Pakistan provides safe haven to the Afghan Taliban and their allies, the Haqqani network, allowing them to carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

Pakistan denies these allegations but President Donald Trump has escalated the criticism against Islamabad since he took office.

"As part of the new South Asia strategy, we have been clear with Pakistan that ensuring reconciliation, peace, and security in Afghanistan in large part depends on Pakistan's willingness to crack down on terrorist safe havens and instigators of terrorist activity in its own country," Pompeo said in his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Pompeo said that across the world, the US has encouraged nations to assume greater responsibilities for maintaining their own and shared security and stability.

"In the face of a resurgent Russia, and in response to our urging, many NATO members are newly meeting their commitments to funding deterrence and defense initiatives," he said.

President Trump's call to leaders of Middle East countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rallied leaders of those nations to more aggressively combat terrorism inside their own borders and to counter violent extremism abroad, Pompeo said.

Pakistan denies these allegations but President Donald Trump has escalated the criticism against Islamabad since he took office.

Pakistan should crackdown on terrorist safe havens and instigators of terrorist activities in its own country, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said today. The US and others have long complained that Pakistan provides safe haven to the Afghan Taliban and their allies, the Haqqani network, allowing them to carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies these allegations but President Donald Trump has escalated the criticism against Islamabad since he took office. "As part of the new South Asia strategy, we have been clear with Pakistan that ensuring reconciliation, peace, and security in Afghanistan in large part depends on Pakistan's willingness to crack down on terrorist safe havens and instigators of terrorist activity in its own country," Pompeo said in his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Pompeo said that across the world, the US has encouraged nations to assume greater responsibilities for maintaining their own and shared security and stability. "In the face of a resurgent Russia, and in response to our urging, many NATO members are newly meeting their commitments to funding deterrence and defense initiatives," he said. President Trump's call to leaders of Middle East countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rallied leaders of those nations to more aggressively combat terrorism inside their own borders and to counter violent extremism abroad, Pompeo said.

Pompeo seeks crackdown on terrorist safe havens in Pakistan

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran.

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

Weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, his administration threatened to impose "the strongest sanctions in history," and vowed to "crush" Iranian operatives abroad, setting Washington and Tehran further on a course of confrontation.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded sweeping changes that would force Iran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The speech added to the tension between the two countries, which grew notably when Trump this month withdrew from the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

If Washington sees tangible shifts in Iran's policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo said.

"The sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran," Pompeo said in his first major speech since becoming secretary of state.

"These will be the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are done," he added.

The European Union largely dismissed Pompeo's speech and said it remained committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal.

Pompeo took aim at Iran's policy of expansion in the Middle East through support for armed groups in countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

He warned that the United States would "crush" Iranian operatives and proxies abroad and told Tehran to pull out forces under its command from the Syrian civil war where they have helped President Bashar al-Assad gain the upper hand.

Iran's president summarily dismissed Pompeo's demands.

"Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?," the semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Hassan Rouhani as saying.

"The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation."

A senior Iranian official said Pompeo's remarks showed that the United States was pushing for "regime change," a charged phrase often associated with the US&nbsp;invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein.

Pompeo warned that if Iran fully resumed its nuclear program Washington would be ready to respond and said the administration would hold companies doing prohibited business in Iran to account.

"Our demands on Iran are not unreasonable: give up your program," Pompeo said, "Should they choose to go back, should they begin to enrich, we are fully prepared to respond to that as well," he said, declining to elaborate.

Pompeo said Washington would work with the Defense Department and allies to counter Iran in the cyberspace and maritime areas.

The Pentagon said it would take all necessary steps to confront Iranian behavior in the region and was assessing whether that could include new actions or doubling down on current ones.

Pompeo will have an uphill battle convincing European allies to sign on to the administration's "Plan B" on Iran after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran’s conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA. There is no alternative to the JCPOA," the EU said in a statement.

Naming names

Pompeo said if Iran made major changes, the United States was prepared to ease sanctions, re-establish full diplomatic and commercial relations and support the country's re-integration into the international economic system.

Any new US&nbsp;sanctions will raise the cost of trade for Iran and are expected to further deter Western companies from investing there, giving hardliners, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an opportunity to cement their grip on power.

Iran's ruling elite are mindful of recent protests sparked by economic hardship, which is, in part, their calculation for working with the Europeans on ways to salvage the nuclear deal.

Pompeo's speech did not explicitly call for regime change but he repeatedly urged the Iranian people not to put up with their leaders, specifically naming Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"At the end of the day the Iranian people will get to make a choice about their leadership," Pompeo said.

Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the Brooking Institution think tank's foreign policy program, said Pompeo's speech did indeed amount to a strategy of regime change.

"There is only one way to read it and that is that Trump administration has wedded itself to a regime-change strategy to Iran, one that is likely to alienate our allies. One with dubious prospects for success," she said.

The administration's approach "explicitly puts the onus on the Iranian people to change their leadership or face cataclysmic financial pressure," said Maloney who has advised the State Department on Iran in the Bush administration between 2005-2007.

Lebanese analyst Ghaleb Kandil, who has close ties to the pro-Iran Hezbollah group, said Washington's demands have previously not worked.

"These are conditions that were tested in previous phases of American pressures, before the nuclear deal, when Iran was in more difficult circumstances than it is in these days, and it did not surrender to these conditions or accept them," said Kandil.

Pompeo outlined 12 US&nbsp;demands for Iran including to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor.

It also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work, he said.

Pompeo's demand that Tehran stop uranium enrichment goes even further than the nuclear deal. Iran says its nuclear work has medical uses and will produce energy to meet domestic demand and complement its oil reserves.

Washington's regional allies, the Gulf Arabs and Israel, who were strong critics of the deal, praised the administration's position on Monday.

European parties to the nuclear deal - France, Britain and Germany - are working to find a way to keep the nuclear pact in effect after Washington's exit.

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking 'regime change' in Iran

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. Weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, his administration threatened to impose "the strongest sanctions in history," and vowed to "crush" Iranian operatives abroad, setting Washington and Tehran further on a course of confrontation. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded sweeping changes that would force Iran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The speech added to the tension between the two countries, which grew notably when Trump this month withdrew from the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. If Washington sees tangible shifts in Iran's policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo said. "The sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran," Pompeo said in his first major speech since becoming secretary of state. "These will be the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are done," he added. The European Union largely dismissed Pompeo's speech and said it remained committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal. Pompeo took aim at Iran's policy of expansion in the Middle East through support for armed groups in countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. He warned that the United States would "crush" Iranian operatives and proxies abroad and told Tehran to pull out forces under its command from the Syrian civil war where they have helped President Bashar al-Assad gain the upper hand. Iran's president summarily dismissed Pompeo's demands. "Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?," the semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Hassan Rouhani as saying. "The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation." A senior Iranian official said Pompeo's remarks showed that the United States was pushing for "regime change," a charged phrase often associated with the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein. Pompeo warned that if Iran fully resumed its nuclear program Washington would be ready to respond and said the administration would hold companies doing prohibited business in Iran to account. "Our demands on Iran are not unreasonable: give up your program," Pompeo said, "Should they choose to go back, should they begin to enrich, we are fully prepared to respond to that as well," he said, declining to elaborate. Pompeo said Washington would work with the Defense Department and allies to counter Iran in the cyberspace and maritime areas. The Pentagon said it would take all necessary steps to confront Iranian behavior in the region and was assessing whether that could include new actions or doubling down on current ones. Pompeo will have an uphill battle convincing European allies to sign on to the administration's "Plan B" on Iran after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran’s conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA. There is no alternative to the JCPOA," the EU said in a statement. Naming names Pompeo said if Iran made major changes, the United States was prepared to ease sanctions, re-establish full diplomatic and commercial relations and support the country's re-integration into the international economic system. Any new US sanctions will raise the cost of trade for Iran and are expected to further deter Western companies from investing there, giving hardliners, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an opportunity to cement their grip on power. Iran's ruling elite are mindful of recent protests sparked by economic hardship, which is, in part, their calculation for working with the Europeans on ways to salvage the nuclear deal. Pompeo's speech did not explicitly call for regime change but he repeatedly urged the Iranian people not to put up with their leaders, specifically naming Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. "At the end of the day the Iranian people will get to make a choice about their leadership," Pompeo said. Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the Brooking Institution think tank's foreign policy program, said Pompeo's speech did indeed amount to a strategy of regime change. "There is only one way to read it and that is that Trump administration has wedded itself to a regime-change strategy to Iran, one that is likely to alienate our allies. One with dubious prospects for success," she said. The administration's approach "explicitly puts the onus on the Iranian people to change their leadership or face cataclysmic financial pressure," said Maloney who has advised the State Department on Iran in the Bush administration between 2005-2007. Lebanese analyst Ghaleb Kandil, who has close ties to the pro-Iran Hezbollah group, said Washington's demands have previously not worked. "These are conditions that were tested in previous phases of American pressures, before the nuclear deal, when Iran was in more difficult circumstances than it is in these days, and it did not surrender to these conditions or accept them," said Kandil. Pompeo outlined 12 US demands for Iran including to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor. It also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work, he said. Pompeo's demand that Tehran stop uranium enrichment goes even further than the nuclear deal. Iran says its nuclear work has medical uses and will produce energy to meet domestic demand and complement its oil reserves. Washington's regional allies, the Gulf Arabs and Israel, who were strong critics of the deal, praised the administration's position on Monday. European parties to the nuclear deal - France, Britain and Germany - are working to find a way to keep the nuclear pact in effect after Washington's exit.

US demands Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices".

"US&nbsp;diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet.

As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war.&nbsp;

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices". "US diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet. As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. (With inputs from Reuters)

US is repeating mistakes on Iran: Zarif tweets over Pompeo's sweeping demands

Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said today that the US will impose "strongest sanctions in history" on Iran, asserting that "Iran will never again have carte blanche to dominate the Middle East."

In a strongly worded statement, Pompeo said: "We will apply unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime. The leaders in Tehran will have no doubt about our seriousness."

President Donald Trump had announced on May 8 that he would pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal.

The US administration had said it would impose sanctions after the expiry of 90- and 180-day wind-down periods, including sanctions aimed at Iran's oil and financial sectors.

"European firms doing 'prohibited business' with Iran will be held 'to account', Pompeo added.

Pompeo added that the US will put down "12 condictions" for "any new deal" with Rohani's Iran.

The US is set to impose harsh sanctions on Iran

Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said today that the US will impose "strongest sanctions in history" on Iran, asserting that "Iran will never again have carte blanche to dominate the Middle East." In a strongly worded statement, Pompeo said: "We will apply unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime. The leaders in Tehran will have no doubt about our seriousness." President Donald Trump had announced on May 8 that he would pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal. The US administration had said it would impose sanctions after the expiry of 90- and 180-day wind-down periods, including sanctions aimed at Iran's oil and financial sectors. "European firms doing 'prohibited business' with Iran will be held 'to account', Pompeo added. Pompeo added that the US will put down "12 condictions" for "any new deal" with Rohani's Iran.

Will impose strongest sanctions in history on Iran, says US secretary of state Pompeo

In his first telephonic conversation to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, United States Secretary of States Mike Pompeo has ensured the commitment of US investment in Afghanistan.

According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two discussed on maintaining peace in the restive state and in countering the growing terrorism.

The Secretary of States also praised the Afghan leader for his attempts at building a secure and prosperous future in the country and commended his efforts at reforming the country's institutions in order to ensure transparent, credible and timely elections.&nbsp

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "Secretary Pompeo reinforced our enduring investment in Afghanistan, as outlined in the President's South Asia strategy, and expressed support for the Afghan military's defence of the city of Farah. The two discussed the strong partnership between the United States and Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and our support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process".

(With inputs from PTI)

According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two discussed on maintaining peace in the restive state and in countering the growing terrorism

In his first telephonic conversation to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, United States Secretary of States Mike Pompeo has ensured the commitment of US investment in Afghanistan. According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two discussed on maintaining peace in the restive state and in countering the growing terrorism. The Secretary of States also praised the Afghan leader for his attempts at building a secure and prosperous future in the country and commended his efforts at reforming the country's institutions in order to ensure transparent, credible and timely elections. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "Secretary Pompeo reinforced our enduring investment in Afghanistan, as outlined in the President's South Asia strategy, and expressed support for the Afghan military's defence of the city of Farah. The two discussed the strong partnership between the United States and Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and our support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process". (With inputs from PTI)

Pompeo assures US investment in Afghanistan

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was "hopeful" that the US&nbspcould strike a deal with its European allies regarding Iran's nuclear program, on Sunday (May 13) during an interview on "Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.

The US's top diplomat also said the US&nbspdecision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal "wasn't aimed at the Europeans."

"I am hopeful in the days and weeks ahead we can come up with a deal that really works, that really protects the world from Iranian bad behavior, not just their nuclear program but their missiles and their malign behavior as well," Pompeo said.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's pullout from the 2015 nuclear deal has upset Washington's European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

So far, China, France, Russia, the UK, EU and Iran are remaining in the accord, minus the United States.

The United States on Sunday threatened to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran, as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep that agreement operational.

White House National Security adviser John Bolton said U.S. sanctions on European companies that maintain business dealings with Iran were "possible," but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he remained hopeful Washington and its allies could strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran.

Meanwhile,&nbspGermany acknowledged it could be hard to protect companies doing business with Iran as a senior U.S. official renewed a threat of sanctions against European firms following Washington's decision to pull out of a nuclear deal with Tehran.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said Germany viewed President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear pact as wrong, adding that Berlin hopes Washington can still be persuaded not to punish foreign firms doing business there.

US President Donald Trump's pullout from the 2015 nuclear deal has upset Washington's European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was "hopeful" that the US&nbspcould strike a deal with its European allies regarding Iran's nuclear program, on Sunday (May 13) during an interview on "Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace. The US's top diplomat also said the US&nbspdecision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal "wasn't aimed at the Europeans." "I am hopeful in the days and weeks ahead we can come up with a deal that really works, that really protects the world from Iranian bad behavior, not just their nuclear program but their missiles and their malign behavior as well," Pompeo said. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's pullout from the 2015 nuclear deal has upset Washington's European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East. So far, China, France, Russia, the UK, EU and Iran are remaining in the accord, minus the United States. The United States on Sunday threatened to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran, as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep that agreement operational. White House National Security adviser John Bolton said U.S. sanctions on European companies that maintain business dealings with Iran were "possible," but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he remained hopeful Washington and its allies could strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Meanwhile,&nbspGermany acknowledged it could be hard to protect companies doing business with Iran as a senior U.S. official renewed a threat of sanctions against European firms following Washington's decision to pull out of a nuclear deal with Tehran. Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said Germany viewed President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear pact as wrong, adding that Berlin hopes Washington can still be persuaded not to punish foreign firms doing business there.

Pompeo: Withdrawal from Iran deal 'wasn't aimed at the Europeans'

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Washington has agreed to lift the sanctions imposed on North Korea if it agrees to completely eliminate its nuclear program.&nbsp

This move would create economic prosperity that "will rival" South Korea. &nbsp

Speaking on several Sunday morning talk shows, Pompeo said the United States would not be willing to invest taxpayer dollars to help the country but was willing to "lift sanctions" to pave the way for private American investment in North Korea’s energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.

Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, the first such meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

“What Chairman Kim will get from America is our finest – our entrepreneurs, our risk takers, our capital providers...They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy...for their people. They are in great need of agricultural equipment and technology,” he said on CBS's “Face the Nation.”

“We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South,” he added.

On Friday, North Korea said that it is taking measures to dismantle its nuclear test site. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said.

All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site.&nbsp

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site.&nbsp

Last month, Pompeo became the first known U.S. official to meet with Kim, where he helped lay the ground work for the upcoming meeting with Trump.

He returned again to North Korea last week for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the historic release of three American prisoners.

Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Washington has agreed to lift the sanctions imposed on North Korea if it agrees to completely eliminate its nuclear program. This move would create economic prosperity that "will rival" South Korea. Speaking on several Sunday morning talk shows, Pompeo said the United States would not be willing to invest taxpayer dollars to help the country but was willing to "lift sanctions" to pave the way for private American investment in North Korea’s energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, the first such meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. “What Chairman Kim will get from America is our finest – our entrepreneurs, our risk takers, our capital providers...They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy...for their people. They are in great need of agricultural equipment and technology,” he said on CBS's “Face the Nation.” “We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South,” he added. On Friday, North Korea said that it is taking measures to dismantle its nuclear test site. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said. All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site. US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site. Last month, Pompeo became the first known U.S. official to meet with Kim, where he helped lay the ground work for the upcoming meeting with Trump. He returned again to North Korea last week for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the historic release of three American prisoners.

US to lift sanctions on North Korea if it meets demands, says Pompeo

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/walmart-buying-77-stake-in-flipkart-for-16-billion-135737">Walmart buying 77% stake in Flipkart for $16 billion</a>

Walmart Inc has agreed to pay $16 billion for a roughly 77 per cent stake in Indian online shopping site Flipkart, the US retailer's biggest foreign investment as it battles rival Amazon.com Inc in one of the world's biggest emerging markets.

The deal, capping almost two years of talks, will help the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer fortify and boost market share against Amazon.com, which reportedly had tried to make a competing offer for a stake.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/india-to-grow-at-74-in-2018-78-in-2019-imf-135754">India to grow at 7.4% in 2018, says IMF</a>

The Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal and accelerate further to 7.8 per cent as it recovers from the impact of demonetisation and GST roll out, IMF said today.

Asia continues to be the main engine of the world's economy, accounting for more than 60 per cent of global growth, three-quarters of which comes from China and India alone, as per IMF's Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific (REO).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-says-will-quit-nuke-deal-without-european-guarantees-135725">Iran supreme leader Khamenei says will quit nuclear deal without European guarantees</a>

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Tehran would quit the landmark 2015 nuclear deal unless European signatories offered solid guarantees that trade relations would continue after the US withdrawal.

Addressing Iran's government in a televised speech, Khamenei said: "We hear that you want to continue the nuclear deal with the three European countries. I don't have confidence in these three countries."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinas-xi-is-worlds-most-powerful-person-modi-is-9th-forbes-135739">China's Xi is world's most powerful person, Modi is 9th: Forbes</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked among the top 10 most powerful people in the world by Forbes in a list that has been topped for the first time ever by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who dethroned Russian President Vladimir Putin as the most influential person on the planet.&nbsp;

Modi ranks 9th on the Forbes 2018 list of 75 of the World's Most Powerful People who make the world turn.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-returning-from-north-korea-with-three-us-detainees-trump-135759">Pompeo returning from North Korea with three US detainees: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that three Americans detained by North Korea have been released and are on their way home with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.

Walmart buying 77% stake in Flipkart for $16 billion Walmart Inc has agreed to pay $16 billion for a roughly 77 per cent stake in Indian online shopping site Flipkart, the US retailer's biggest foreign investment as it battles rival Amazon.com Inc in one of the world's biggest emerging markets. The deal, capping almost two years of talks, will help the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer fortify and boost market share against Amazon.com, which reportedly had tried to make a competing offer for a stake. India to grow at 7.4% in 2018, says IMF The Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal and accelerate further to 7.8 per cent as it recovers from the impact of demonetisation and GST roll out, IMF said today. Asia continues to be the main engine of the world's economy, accounting for more than 60 per cent of global growth, three-quarters of which comes from China and India alone, as per IMF's Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific (REO). Iran supreme leader Khamenei says will quit nuclear deal without European guarantees Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Tehran would quit the landmark 2015 nuclear deal unless European signatories offered solid guarantees that trade relations would continue after the US withdrawal. Addressing Iran's government in a televised speech, Khamenei said: "We hear that you want to continue the nuclear deal with the three European countries. I don't have confidence in these three countries." China's Xi is world's most powerful person, Modi is 9th: Forbes Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked among the top 10 most powerful people in the world by Forbes in a list that has been topped for the first time ever by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who dethroned Russian President Vladimir Putin as the most influential person on the planet. Modi ranks 9th on the Forbes 2018 list of 75 of the World's Most Powerful People who make the world turn. Pompeo returning from North Korea with three US detainees: Trump US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that three Americans detained by North Korea have been released and are on their way home with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.

Venezuela on Sunday slammed comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the government of President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing "supremacist policies" and aggression by the "regime of Donald Trump."

In a speech on Friday, Pompeo said that "a dictator today in Venezuela cripples his economy and starves his people," and urged the State Department help to those who flee the crisis-stricken country.

"Mr. Pompeo shows false concern for the reality of Venezuela, while hiding the perverse effects of the unilateral coercive measures of his government," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, referring to financial sanctions levied against Venezuela by the Trump government.

It said Trump's government "has launched erratic maneuvers, typical of the arrogance and despair of imperialist politics, after having failed once and again in the face of the will of a free and independent people."

Close to 1 million people left Venezuela between 2015 and 2017, according to U.N. figures, to escape the rising incidence of malnutrition and preventable diseases as a result of the collapse of the country's socialist economic system.

Maduro blames the situation on U.S. sanctions and an "economic war" waged by the opposition. He is up for re-election on May 20 in a vote that is being boycotted by the opposition's main coalition, which calls it a sham.

Opposition politician Henri Falcon is breaking the boycott and will stand against Maduro.

In a speech on Friday, Pompeo said that 'a dictator today in Venezuela cripples his economy and starves his people,' and urged the State Department help to those who flee the crisis-stricken country.

Venezuela on Sunday slammed comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the government of President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing "supremacist policies" and aggression by the "regime of Donald Trump." In a speech on Friday, Pompeo said that "a dictator today in Venezuela cripples his economy and starves his people," and urged the State Department help to those who flee the crisis-stricken country. "Mr. Pompeo shows false concern for the reality of Venezuela, while hiding the perverse effects of the unilateral coercive measures of his government," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, referring to financial sanctions levied against Venezuela by the Trump government. It said Trump's government "has launched erratic maneuvers, typical of the arrogance and despair of imperialist politics, after having failed once and again in the face of the will of a free and independent people." Close to 1 million people left Venezuela between 2015 and 2017, according to U.N. figures, to escape the rising incidence of malnutrition and preventable diseases as a result of the collapse of the country's socialist economic system. Maduro blames the situation on U.S. sanctions and an "economic war" waged by the opposition. He is up for re-election on May 20 in a vote that is being boycotted by the opposition's main coalition, which calls it a sham. Opposition politician Henri Falcon is breaking the boycott and will stand against Maduro.

Venezuela slams 'supremacist policies' of Pompeo, Trump 'regime'

Underscoring the importance of diplomacy in resolving major global issues, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for a strong State Department to achieve America's foreign policy goals.

In his first major address at the State Department, Pompeo yesterday said that despite having "strong relationship" with many allies, the US still needed to address the issues of North Korea and Iran, among others.&nbsp

"..There's enormous diplomatic effort to continue to keep the pressure on North Korea and bring them to the negotiating table, to a place where we can successfully eliminate the threat from Kim Jong-un's nuclear arsenal," Pompeo said.&nbsp

Pompeo met Kim last month in Pyongyang, in the build-up to a summit between the North Korean leader and Trump, the date and location for which have been decided and "will be announced soon".&nbsp

Speaking about the US' allies in Europe, Pompeo said apart from the occasional and minor hiccups, these nations had interests similar to America's.&nbsp

"We're blessed to have so many allies with strong relationships. There are, of course, rough times and places that we disagree. But these countries share our values and our interests, and we all have a common effort in ensuring prosperity for our nations moving forward," he said. 
Pompeo called for "strong diplomatic efforts" in the Middle East, especially towards Iran to prevent its "destabilising behaviour".

"We need strong diplomatic efforts there as well to prevent Iran's destabilising behaviour in Syria, in Yemen, and across the region. We have to tackle the threat from jihadist terror and from places with really weak governance," said Pompeo.

"These are all great challenges, but I'm confident that our team can develop strategies and diplomatic footprints capable of resolving them," he said.

Trump is to take a decision on the Iranian nuclear deal on May 12. He has repeatedly criticised the seven-party agreement and long threatened to walk away from the landmark deal unless its European signatories and Congress reconcile his concerns.

America's foreign policy, Pompeo argued, got to be pragmatic while still remaining principled and agile enough to respond to changing circumstances yet anchored in the fundamental ideals and values that ground the nation's history.&nbsp

Following his remarks, Pompeo took part in a memorial ceremony to honour those who lost their lives in service to the country.&nbsp

Speaking about the US' allies in Europe, Pompeo said apart from the occasional and minor hiccups, these nations had interests similar to America's

Underscoring the importance of diplomacy in resolving major global issues, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for a strong State Department to achieve America's foreign policy goals. In his first major address at the State Department, Pompeo yesterday said that despite having "strong relationship" with many allies, the US still needed to address the issues of North Korea and Iran, among others. "..There's enormous diplomatic effort to continue to keep the pressure on North Korea and bring them to the negotiating table, to a place where we can successfully eliminate the threat from Kim Jong-un's nuclear arsenal," Pompeo said. Pompeo met Kim last month in Pyongyang, in the build-up to a summit between the North Korean leader and Trump, the date and location for which have been decided and "will be announced soon". Speaking about the US' allies in Europe, Pompeo said apart from the occasional and minor hiccups, these nations had interests similar to America's. "We're blessed to have so many allies with strong relationships. There are, of course, rough times and places that we disagree. But these countries share our values and our interests, and we all have a common effort in ensuring prosperity for our nations moving forward," he said. Pompeo called for "strong diplomatic efforts" in the Middle East, especially towards Iran to prevent its "destabilising behaviour". "We need strong diplomatic efforts there as well to prevent Iran's destabilising behaviour in Syria, in Yemen, and across the region. We have to tackle the threat from jihadist terror and from places with really weak governance," said Pompeo. "These are all great challenges, but I'm confident that our team can develop strategies and diplomatic footprints capable of resolving them," he said. Trump is to take a decision on the Iranian nuclear deal on May 12. He has repeatedly criticised the seven-party agreement and long threatened to walk away from the landmark deal unless its European signatories and Congress reconcile his concerns. America's foreign policy, Pompeo argued, got to be pragmatic while still remaining principled and agile enough to respond to changing circumstances yet anchored in the fundamental ideals and values that ground the nation's history. Following his remarks, Pompeo took part in a memorial ceremony to honour those who lost their lives in service to the country.

Pompeo pushes for strong diplomatic effort to prevent Iran's 'destabilising' behaviour

The United States is deeply concerned by Iran's "destabilising and malign activities", new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Pompeo was speaking on a flying visit to the region, where he had earlier met with Saudi King Salman in Riyadh and stressed the need for unity among Gulf allies as Washington aims to muster support for new sanctions against Iran.

The whirlwind trip to NATO in Brussels and to Middle East allies came only hours after Pompeo was confirmed as Trump's top diplomat. He has not even visited his own office yet, he told Netanyahu.

Speaking alongside the Israeli leader, Pompeo said in Tel Aviv: "We remain deeply concerned about Iran's dangerous escalation of threats towards Israel and the region."

He added: "Strong cooperation with close allies like (Israel) is critical to our efforts to counter Iran's destabilising and malign activities through the Middle East, and indeed, throughout the world."

Pompeo also said that the relocation of the American embassy to Jerusalem, a move set to take place on May 14, was "recognising (the) reality" of "Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the seat of its government."

Netanyahu echoed Pompeo's focus on Iran, stressing the closeness of US&nbsp;and Israeli cooperation on the issue.

"I think the greatest threat to the world and to our two countries, and to all countries, is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons, and specifically the attempt of Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. We have had a very productive talk today on this subject," he said.

In Saudi Arabia earlier, Pompeo said that the US&nbsp;would abandon the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, reached under President Donald Trump's predecessor, unless talks with European partners yield improvements to ensure the Islamic Republic never possesses nuclear weapons.

"Iran destabilises this entire region. It supports proxy militias and terrorist groups. It is an arms dealer to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. It supports the murderous Assad regime (in Syria) as well," he said in joint remarks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

"Gulf unity is necessary and we need to achieve it."

Pompeo also addressed the rift between Qatar and its neighbours, telling reporters after leaving Riyadh: "We are hopeful that they will, in their own way, figure out how to remove the dispute between them."

Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

Doha has denied the accusations and has said its three fellow Gulf countries aim to curtail its sovereignty. Iran denies supporting terrorism or having sought to develop nuclear weapons.

The United States, which has military bases in both Qatar and some of the countries lined up against it, is trying to mediate the Qatar feud. Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early in the crisis, but is now pushing for a resolution to maintain a united front against Iran.

Yemen's armed Iranian-aligned Houthi movement has fired over 100 missiles into Saudi Arabia, the latest salvo killing a man on Saturday in the southern Saudi province of Jizan.

The United States and the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 accuse Iran of providing the missiles to its Houthi allies, which Tehran denies.

Nuclear deal

Pompeo's trip comes as Trump considers whether or not to abandon a self-imposed May 12 deadline for the Iran nuclear deal he sees as deeply flawed.

He has called on Gulf allies to contribute funding and troops to stabilise areas in Iraq and Syria where a US-led coalition has largely defeated Islamic State jihadists.

Earlier this month, Jubeir said Saudi Arabia would be prepared to send troops into Syria under the US-led coalition if a decision is taken to widen it.

Asked about Saudi troops on the ground in Syria, Pompeo said: "We will sit down and talk about... how to best make sure that this is not America alone working on this, it's the Gulf states working alongside us."

On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani waved aside US&nbsp;and European discussions over changes to the nuclear accord and dismissed Trump as a "tradesman" who lacked the qualifications to deal with a complex international pact.

"We’ve certainly made some (progress with the Europeans)," Pompeo said on Sunday. "There is still work to do. They said, 'Great, we will support you if you get the fixes'."

Britain said on Sunday that it, France and Germany - the other signatories to the 2015 Iran deal along with Russia, China and the European Union - agreed that the accord was the best way of stopping Tehran from gaining nuclear weapons.

"(We) committed to continue working closely together and with the US&nbsp;on how to tackle the range of challenges that Iran poses – including those issues that a new deal might cover," a statement from British Prime Minister Theresa May's office said.

The 2015 agreement limited Iran's enrichment of uranium for nuclear fuel to help ensure it could not be turned to developing bomb material, and Tehran secured a removal of most international sanctions in return.

Iran has repeatedly said its ballistic missile programme has nothing to do with its nuclear work and is non-negotiable.

Trump sees three defects in the deal: a failure to address Iranian ballistic missiles the terms under which U.N. inspectors can visit allegedly suspect Iranian nuclear sites and "sunset" clauses under which key limits on the Iranian nuclear programme start to expire after 10 years.

Pompeo also addressed the rift between Qatar and its neighbours

The United States is deeply concerned by Iran's "destabilising and malign activities", new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Pompeo was speaking on a flying visit to the region, where he had earlier met with Saudi King Salman in Riyadh and stressed the need for unity among Gulf allies as Washington aims to muster support for new sanctions against Iran. The whirlwind trip to NATO in Brussels and to Middle East allies came only hours after Pompeo was confirmed as Trump's top diplomat. He has not even visited his own office yet, he told Netanyahu. Speaking alongside the Israeli leader, Pompeo said in Tel Aviv: "We remain deeply concerned about Iran's dangerous escalation of threats towards Israel and the region." He added: "Strong cooperation with close allies like (Israel) is critical to our efforts to counter Iran's destabilising and malign activities through the Middle East, and indeed, throughout the world." Pompeo also said that the relocation of the American embassy to Jerusalem, a move set to take place on May 14, was "recognising (the) reality" of "Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the seat of its government." Netanyahu echoed Pompeo's focus on Iran, stressing the closeness of US and Israeli cooperation on the issue. "I think the greatest threat to the world and to our two countries, and to all countries, is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons, and specifically the attempt of Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. We have had a very productive talk today on this subject," he said. In Saudi Arabia earlier, Pompeo said that the US would abandon the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, reached under President Donald Trump's predecessor, unless talks with European partners yield improvements to ensure the Islamic Republic never possesses nuclear weapons. "Iran destabilises this entire region. It supports proxy militias and terrorist groups. It is an arms dealer to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. It supports the murderous Assad regime (in Syria) as well," he said in joint remarks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. "Gulf unity is necessary and we need to achieve it." Pompeo also addressed the rift between Qatar and its neighbours, telling reporters after leaving Riyadh: "We are hopeful that they will, in their own way, figure out how to remove the dispute between them." Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Doha has denied the accusations and has said its three fellow Gulf countries aim to curtail its sovereignty. Iran denies supporting terrorism or having sought to develop nuclear weapons. The United States, which has military bases in both Qatar and some of the countries lined up against it, is trying to mediate the Qatar feud. Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early in the crisis, but is now pushing for a resolution to maintain a united front against Iran. Yemen's armed Iranian-aligned Houthi movement has fired over 100 missiles into Saudi Arabia, the latest salvo killing a man on Saturday in the southern Saudi province of Jizan. The United States and the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 accuse Iran of providing the missiles to its Houthi allies, which Tehran denies. Nuclear deal Pompeo's trip comes as Trump considers whether or not to abandon a self-imposed May 12 deadline for the Iran nuclear deal he sees as deeply flawed. He has called on Gulf allies to contribute funding and troops to stabilise areas in Iraq and Syria where a US-led coalition has largely defeated Islamic State jihadists. Earlier this month, Jubeir said Saudi Arabia would be prepared to send troops into Syria under the US-led coalition if a decision is taken to widen it. Asked about Saudi troops on the ground in Syria, Pompeo said: "We will sit down and talk about... how to best make sure that this is not America alone working on this, it's the Gulf states working alongside us." On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani waved aside US and European discussions over changes to the nuclear accord and dismissed Trump as a "tradesman" who lacked the qualifications to deal with a complex international pact. "We’ve certainly made some (progress with the Europeans)," Pompeo said on Sunday. "There is still work to do. They said, 'Great, we will support you if you get the fixes'." Britain said on Sunday that it, France and Germany - the other signatories to the 2015 Iran deal along with Russia, China and the European Union - agreed that the accord was the best way of stopping Tehran from gaining nuclear weapons. "(We) committed to continue working closely together and with the US on how to tackle the range of challenges that Iran poses – including those issues that a new deal might cover," a statement from British Prime Minister Theresa May's office said. The 2015 agreement limited Iran's enrichment of uranium for nuclear fuel to help ensure it could not be turned to developing bomb material, and Tehran secured a removal of most international sanctions in return. Iran has repeatedly said its ballistic missile programme has nothing to do with its nuclear work and is non-negotiable. Trump sees three defects in the deal: a failure to address Iranian ballistic missiles the terms under which U.N. inspectors can visit allegedly suspect Iranian nuclear sites and "sunset" clauses under which key limits on the Iranian nuclear programme start to expire after 10 years.

US concerned by 'destabilising and malign activities' of Iran: Pompeo

Days after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-optimistic-about-n-korea-talks-says-itll-work-out-35343"> US president Trump surprised </a>everyone, including his White House staff that he was open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, CIA director Mike Pompeo backed Trump&#39;s decision declaring that Kim&#39;s regime was under threat due to the state of the economy.

&quot;Never <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-chinese-president-helpful-on-kim-jong-un-meeting-35334">before have we had the North Koreans</a> in a position where their economy was at such risk, where their leadership was under such pressure,&quot; Pompeo said.

As critics lashed out at Trump for seemingly trying to divert attention over several controversies plaguing the White House, the CIA director said: &quot;The president isn&rsquo;t doing this for theatre, he is going there to solve a problem.&quot;

&quot;Make no mistake: while these negotiations are going on, there will be no concessions made,&quot; Pompeo asserted.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he won&#39;t be speaking about the North Korean talks as White House and State Department were leading the initiative.

&quot;This is a diplomatically led effort,&quot; Mattis said, adding,&quot;&quot;When you get into a position like this, the potential for misunderstanding remains very high... so I want those who are actually engaging in the discussions to be the ones who answer all media questions about it.&quot;

South Korean official Chung Eui-yong had announced last Thursday that Kim and Trump will meet in May for talks on denuclearisation.

Mattis was among the senior officials present in the White House when Trump accepted the invitation.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he won't be speaking about the North Korean talks as White House and State Department were leading the initiative.

Days after US president Trump surprised everyone, including his White House staff that he was open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, CIA director Mike Pompeo backed Trump's decision declaring that Kim's regime was under threat due to the state of the economy. "Never before have we had the North Koreans in a position where their economy was at such risk, where their leadership was under such pressure," Pompeo said. As critics lashed out at Trump for seemingly trying to divert attention over several controversies plaguing the White House, the CIA director said: "The president isn’t doing this for theatre, he is going there to solve a problem." "Make no mistake: while these negotiations are going on, there will be no concessions made," Pompeo asserted. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he won't be speaking about the North Korean talks as White House and State Department were leading the initiative. "This is a diplomatically led effort," Mattis said, adding,""When you get into a position like this, the potential for misunderstanding remains very high... so I want those who are actually engaging in the discussions to be the ones who answer all media questions about it." South Korean official Chung Eui-yong had announced last Thursday that Kim and Trump will meet in May for talks on denuclearisation. Mattis was among the senior officials present in the White House when Trump accepted the invitation.

Trump's North Korea talks not theatre, he will solve a problem: CIA chief Pompeo

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