Washington Free Beacon editor in chief Matthew Continetti on Wednesday argued that the Iranian regime is wasting its time trying to intimidate Europe regarding their nuclear agreement.
Bret Baier, host of "Special Report" on Fox News, asked about the stipulations being made to Europe by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to remain in the deal. Those conditions include protecting Iran’s oil trade, but Continetti said Iran’s mistakes would prevent them from getting what they want.
"Now you have the Ayatollah coming forward with stipulations for the EU to stay in the nuclear deal," Baier said, specifically naming Iran’s ballistic missile program, which they want to continue.
"This comes as the New York Times is reporting that there's evidence now of Iranian missile testing in the rural areas of Iran," Continetti replied. "A clear violation of the spirit of the agreement which the United States pulled out of."
"I think the mullahs' attempt to intimidate the Europeans is probably going to backfire, and it’s also misplaced," Continetti added. "The real decision making that needs to take place now is in Washington, D.C., and that is: Are we going to really levy the full secondary sanctions against European companies that continue to do business with Iran as a result of the sanctions?"
The Trump administration announced it was imposing strict sanctions on Iran after pulling out of the nuclear deal signed by former President Barack Obama. Sanctions could apply to Europeans trading with Iran, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he expects the Europeans to cooperate.
"This is a shared threat across the world and I am confident that [Europe and the U.S.] can collectively develop a diplomatic response that achieves the simple outcomes that we put forward," Pompeo said Tuesday.
Pompeo also announced the U.S. would take moves to shutter Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites.
Continetti went on to note the prominence of National Security Advisor John Bolton, who is known for maintaining a hard line on foreign policy. Continetti interpreted signs to mean Bolton is close to Pompeo.
"It was interesting in the photo of the meeting with President Moon of South Korea that right next to Secretary Pompeo was National Security Advisor John Bolton who clearly, I think, is having a very expansive role in all these internal debates," he said.