The U.S. State Department is allegedly spending more than $2 million per month for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's and a former top aide's security detail as the two individuals are the subject of "serious and credible" threats from Iran.
On Saturday, reports allege that the department has already spent $13.1 million between August 2021 and February 2022 on protection for Pompeo and former Iran envoy Brian Hook. The reveal cited a report from the State Department released in February that was labeled "sensitive but unclassified."
Monthly Security Detail
The two individuals, who are reportedly receiving 24-hour security, headed the U.S. "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran during former United States President Donald Trump's administration. The recent report found that threats from Iran have allegedly continued even after the Republican businessman stepped down from his position.
After Pompeo departed office, he was automatically qualified for 180 days of protection from the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security due to his high-ranking position. However, current Secretary of State Antony Blinken is believed to have extended the security in 60-day blocks several times due to a "serious and credible threat from a foreign power or agent," as per The Hill.
Furthermore, the threats from Iran persist amid United States President Joe Biden's efforts to have indirect negotiations with the country's officials over a U.S. return to a landmark nuclear deal from 2015.
Hook was often the public face of the Trump administration's imposition of crippling sanctions against Iran along with Pompeo. Blinken granted the former top aide the same level of security as the former secretary of state after he left office.
According to the Associated Press, the most recent 60-day extension of the security detail for the two individuals will soon expire and the State Department will decide if the protection should be extended again. The department will work together with the Director of National Intelligence to make the decision.
Iran Nuclear Agreement
While the State Department is spending a hefty sum for the security of Pompeo and Hook, they are the only ones who are under threat. U.S. intelligence has found that there may be assassination attempts on John Bolton that could be conducted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, the Biden administration is currently not acting on the issue.
Biden's continued negotiations showcase his desire to resume the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran nuclear accord. Former President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, prompting Iran to suspend its compliance and immediately start working on the development of nuclear weapons.
There are more recent negotiations in Vienna, Austria that aim to work on a new nuclear deal with Iran that is believed to be nearing completion. American officials said that the talks include the threats against the two individuals. Iran demanded the removal of all Trump-era sanctions which include a "foreign terrorist organization" designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The negotiations in Vienna have been expected to result in a deal to salvage the 2015 nuclear agreement, the Dailymail reported.
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