Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Says World Must Reinstate ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran

Iranian security forces stand guard over the Iranian national flag hanging on a wall during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in Tehran, Iran, 10 January 2025. (EPA)
Iranian security forces stand guard over the Iranian national flag hanging on a wall during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in Tehran, Iran, 10 January 2025. (EPA)
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Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Says World Must Reinstate ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran

Iranian security forces stand guard over the Iranian national flag hanging on a wall during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in Tehran, Iran, 10 January 2025. (EPA)
Iranian security forces stand guard over the Iranian national flag hanging on a wall during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in Tehran, Iran, 10 January 2025. (EPA)

The world must return to a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran to turn it into a more democratic country, US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg told an Iranian opposition event in Paris on Saturday.

Trump has vowed to return to the policy he pursued in his previous term that sought to wreck Iran's economy to force the country to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program, ballistic missile program and regional activities.

"These pressures are not just kinetic, just not military force, but they must be economic and diplomatic as well", Retired Lieutenant-General Kellogg, who is set to serve as Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, told the audience at Paris-based Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

He said there was an opportunity "to change Iran for the better" but that this opportunity would not last forever.

"We must exploit the weakness we now see. The hope is there, so must too be the action."

He has previously spoken at NCRI events, most recently in November, but his presence in Paris, even if in a personal capacity, suggests the group has the ear of the new US administration.

Kellogg postponed a trip to European capitals earlier this month until after Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

It was unclear whether he would use his trip to Paris to meet French officials to discuss Ukraine. The French presidency, foreign ministry, Trump's transition team did not immediately respond for comment.

Incoming US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also spoken at NCRI events in the past. The group has repeatedly called for the fall of the existing Iranian authorities, although it is unclear how much support it has within Iran.

Speaking at the start of the event at Auvers-sur-Oise, the group's headquarters on the outskirts of Paris, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi said the regional balance of power had shifted against Iran's leadership with the all of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and the "crushing blow" suffered by its most important ally Hezbollah in its war with Israel.

"It is time for Western governments to abandon past policies and stand with the Iranian people this time," she said.

The NCRI, the political arm of the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI), has held frequent rallies in France.



Iranian President Says US Not Sincere over Readiness to Engage

An Iranian cleric holds balloons as they celebrate the 46th anniversary of the 1979 revolution in Tehran, Iran, 10 February 2025. (EPA)
An Iranian cleric holds balloons as they celebrate the 46th anniversary of the 1979 revolution in Tehran, Iran, 10 February 2025. (EPA)
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Iranian President Says US Not Sincere over Readiness to Engage

An Iranian cleric holds balloons as they celebrate the 46th anniversary of the 1979 revolution in Tehran, Iran, 10 February 2025. (EPA)
An Iranian cleric holds balloons as they celebrate the 46th anniversary of the 1979 revolution in Tehran, Iran, 10 February 2025. (EPA)

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday questioned the United States' sincerity in seeking negotiations with Tehran as crowds of people, many chanting "Death to America", rallied across the country to mark the anniversary of the 1979 revolution.

US President Donald Trump last week restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that includes efforts to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and tightened sanctions.

Trump said however that he was open to a deal with Iran and expressed a willingness to talk to Pezeshkian.

Pezeshkian, in a televised speech at Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square, said: "If the US were sincere about negotiations, why did they sanction us?"

He said Tehran "does not seek war...but will not yield to foreign pressure".

Iranian state television showed hundreds of thousands of people turning out to mark the anniversary of the revolution in a rally the clerical establishment billed as a chance to show unity amid mounting US and Israel pressure.

"Death to America," and "Death to Israel," shouted demonstrators in cities and towns across Iran, repeating the ritual chant of the revolution which toppled the US-backed Shah and swept the clergy to power.