World must resume maximum pressure on Iran - Trump's special envoy
Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg (photo: Getty Images)
According to Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, the world should return to the policy of “maximum pressure” on Tehran. This is necessary to turn Iran into a more democratic country, Reuters reports.
The news agency writes that today Kellogg flew to Paris, where he is attending an event of Iranian oppositionists. The Iranian group NCRI has repeatedly called for the overthrow of the Iranian government. Trump's special representative, for his part, is giving a speech there.
“These pressures are not just kinetic, just not military force, but they must be economic and diplomatic as well... We must use the weakness we see now. There is hope, so there must be action... We must exploit the weakness we now see. The hope is there, so must too be the action,” he said.
Kellogg said that there is an opportunity to “change Iran for the better,” but this opportunity will not last forever.
The last time Trump's special envoy spoke at NCRI events was in November, but his presence in Paris today shows that the new US administration is listening to the Iranian opposition group.
However, it remains unclear whether he will use his trip to Paris to meet with French officials to discuss Ukraine.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Kellogg had postponed his visit to European capitals, including Kyiv, to meet with government officials. The trip was originally scheduled for Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that the meeting was postponed for legal reasons and will take place after Trump takes office. At the same time, the visit continues to be prepared.
