WASHINGTON, June 19 -- U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook on Wednesday described U.S. latest move in the Middle East as "defensive", reaffirming that Washington seeks a "comprehensive and enduring deal" with Tehran.
"No one should be uncertain about our desire for peace or our readiness to normalize relations should we reach a comprehensive deal," Hook said during a congressional hearing over U.S. Iran policy.
Hook told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that the ongoing pressure campaign against Iran has been effective, which aims to deprive Iran's revenue and to force it back to the table.
U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of a nuclear deal in May last year and resumed energy and financial sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
The United States in the past weeks has continuously deployed military assets to the region on the pretext of "Iran's threat." The latest move was on Monday when Pentagon announced to send about 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East.
Despite Hook called these actions as "defensive move" to restore deterrence, lawmakers were worried about the growing risk of unintended conflict between the United States and Iran.
"I see a growing risk of miscalculation. I see more and more scenarios that could spark a conflict-that could lead to the United States stumbling into war," said Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Engel also made clear to Hook that "military action against Iran without the approval of Congress is absolutely not an option."
The tensions between Washington and Tehran have been rising due to the attack on two oil tankers last week in Gulf of Oman as well as Iran's threats of not complying with the 2017 Iran nuclear deal.
Hook started his intensive trip to the Middle East and Europe on Wednesday, during which he would discuss the Iran issue with U.S. allies and partners, according to a statement issued by the U.S. State Department.
The statement said Hook would hold bilateral meetings in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. The envoy would then travel to Paris, discussing "a range of issues concerning the Iranian regime" with his counterparts from Britain, Germany, and France.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday in a broadcast speech on state television that U.S. efforts to isolate Iran have been unsuccessful.
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 1 How often do you exercise》ppt课件(二)
新目标八年级上Unit 10 Period2
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 1 How often do you exerciseaB》ppt课件
人教新目标版英语八上《Review of Units 1-6》ppt课件
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 11 Could you please clean your room》ppt课件(一)
2012新人教版八上Unit 10《I m going to be a basketball player》(Section B)ppt课件2
2012新人教版八上《Unit 1 How often do you exercise》ppt复习课件
2012新人教版八上《Unit 1 How often do you exercise》ppt课件
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 3 What are you doing for vacation》ppt课件
新目标八年级上Unit 7 Period 5
2012新人教版八上Unit 12《What s the best radio station》(Section B)ppt课件1
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 4 How do you get to school》ppt课件包(含素材)
2012新人教版八上Unit 10《I m going to be a basketball player》(Section A)ppt课件2
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 3 What are you doing for vacation》ppt课件包(含素材)
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 1 How often do you exerciseaA》ppt课件
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 3 What are you doing for vacation》ppt课件(四)
2012新人教版八上Unit 10《I m going to be a basketball player》(Section B)ppt课件1
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 3 What are you doing for vacation》ppt课件(一)
新目标八年级上 period 2 of Unit 6
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 3 What are you doing for vacation》ppt课件(二)
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 12 What’s the best radio station》ppt课件包(含素材)
2012新人教版八上《Unit 10 I’m going to be a basketball player》ppt公开课课件
新目标八年级上:Unit 8 How was your school trip Period3
2012新人教版八上Unit 10《I m going to be a basketball player》(Section A)ppt课件1
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 2 What’s the matter》ppt说课课件
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 2 What’s the matter》ppt课件(一)
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 1 How often do you exercise》ppt课件(一)
人教新目标版英语八上《Unit 3 What are you doing for vacation》(sectionA)ppt课件
2012新人教版八上《Unit 10 I am going to be a basket》(sectionA)ppt课件
2012新人教版八上《Unit 1 How often do you exercise》ppt课件包(含素材文件)1