US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington will increase putting financial pressure on Iran with what he called the strongest sanctions in history. This comes after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

MIKE POMPEO US SECRETARY OF STATE "The regime has been fighting all over the Middle East for years. After our sanctions come in force, it will be battling to keep its economy alive. Iran will be forced to make a choice, either fight for its economy of life support at home or keep squandering pressure throughout the fights abroad. It will not have the resources to do both."

Pompeo made the remarks in his first major foreign policy address since moving to the State Department from the CIA. In his speech, he outlined a new US strategy on handling Iran, including 12 tough conditions from Washington for any new deal with Tehran. He warned Tehran will face bigger problems if it decides to restart its nuclear program. He also said the US will advocate the rights of Iranian people, calling on the Iranian government to improve its treatment of its citizens.