President Donald Trump said on Tuesday during his announcement that the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal that when he makes promises, he keeps them.
"Today's action sends a critical message: the United States no longer makes empty threats," Trump said. "When I make promises, I keep them."
Trump drove his point home by making a surprise announcement that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was at that moment on his way to North Korea to make preparations for a future meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
"In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said. "Plans are being made. Relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen. And with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone."
After months of increasing tensions between the two countries, then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo made a surprise visit to North Korea and met with Kim last month. Following a historic April meeting between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, plans were initiated for Trump to meet with Kim this spring over what the U.S. hopes will be a start to the regime abandoning its rogue nuclear weapons program.
"As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat," Trump said. "This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Iran's ballistic missile program, to stop its terrorist activities worldwide, and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East."
Trump announced the U.S. will reimpose sanctions against Iran and that if the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, "bigger" consequences will result.
"In the meantime, powerful sanction also go into full effect," Trump said. "If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before."