US seeks 'permanent' ban on Iran's nuclear ambitions

United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Thursday took an aim at Iran while seeking an arrangement to permanently prevent the Middle East country from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"For years Iran pursued a secret effort to develop nuclear weapons. Iran Deal did not deter Iran's nuclear ambitions. US seeks an arrangement that permanently prevents Iran from being able to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, or the ballistic missiles to deliver them," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted.

"As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty we must renew our efforts to reduce the dangers posed by nuclear proliferation, including confronting immediate challenges from DPRK and Iran," Pompeo added in another tweet.

Earlier, Pompeo commented on demonstrations in Iran, saying protesters are fed up with the country's leadership.

"The people of Iran are tired of the corruption, injustice, and incompetence from their leaders," Pompeo said in a statement. "We condemn the government's same futile tactics of suppression, imprisonment of protestors, and the denial of Iranians' frustrations."

The US is planning to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran following President Donald Trump's decision last month to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal.

It is pertinent to mention here that on May 8, Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the Iran nuclear deal which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

The United States has also asked countries to cut all oil imports from Iran by the start of November or else face powerful US sanctions.