Analyst:

Trump could reduce tensions with Iran by firing Bolton, Pompeo

US President Donald Trump could reduce tensions with Iran by replacing his hawkish foreign policy advisers such as National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former US Senate candidate says.

News ID: 445126

Date: 29 May 2019 - 06:47

RNA - “Mr. Trump can solve that problem by merely by firing both of these people,” said Mark Dankof, who is also a broadcaster and pastor in San Antonio, Texas.

“He needs not only to pull back from this ridiculous talk of war with Iran, but he needs to get rid of the Boltons and Pompeos and all of these other people that in fact are doing Israel’s bidding in trying to get the United States into this mess for no legitimate reason at all,” Dankof told Press TV on Tuesday.

“Trump needs to get as far away from these war mongers as he can and again institute a policy that is best for the American people, it’s best for Iran, it’s best for the world and it may be lousy for Israel but that’s just fine,” he added.

Trump said Monday his administration is not looking for regime change in Iran and would rather sit down for talks, signaling a change of tone after a period of saber-rattling that saw him and other US officials threaten the Islamic Republic with war in hope of getting concessions.

"We're not looking for regime change, we're looking for no nuclear weapons," Trump said at a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. "I really believe that Iran would like to make a deal, and I think that's very smart of them, and I think that's a possibility to happen."

Ever since quitting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018, Trump has used sanctions and political pressure to force Iran into the negotiating table for a new agreement, but to no avail.

The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure against Iranians in the wake of Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

The American president, who is on a visit to address trade differences with Tokyo, tried to use Shinzo's good relations with Iran to find a way out of his self-made crisis.

Iran voiced concern about "adventurism by foreign players" to disrupt maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf region, describing the incident as "lamentable" and "worrying" and calling for thorough investigations.

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