Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper will be ready to update European allies...
WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper will be ready to update European allies on tensions with Iran as he heads to NATO headquarters this week during his inaugural trip as Pentagon chief, a senior U.S. official said.
His first week coincides with a previously scheduled NATO defense ministerial meeting, where the focus will be on other pre-planned discussions - including an approaching end to the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and Russia. “It’s very important to the Department and the U.S. government as a whole that we make sure our allies are as cognizant, and that we are as transparent on this issue, as possible.”
Iran has so far refused and instead warned it is ready to enrich uranium to a higher level if Europe cannot shield Tehran from U.S. sanctions. Iran denies U.S. accusations that it has also repeatedly carried out attacks on oil tankers in recent weeks. “A NATO ministerial is a good way to get to know key partners, kind of like diplomatic speed-dating,” said Derek Chollet, a former senior Pentagon official during the Obama administration.
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