The Iranians have put a reward of one million dollars on whoever brings my head… and my wife finds it low

The 70th Secretary of State, United States of America, Mike Pompeo, confirmed that when he talks about Iran, he is always careful to “full disclosure,” saying: “They are still trying to kill me, so I am definitely biased, and there is a reward of one million dollars on my head, which my wife thinks is a little low.”

He added during a session entitled “Resetting the Geopolitical Landscape” within the activities of the World Government Summit 2026: “It is inconceivable to me that there will be a reliable agreement with Iran. We have concluded several agreements with the Iranians in the past, and every time they cheated, lied, and evaded commitment to every agreement they signed.”

Pompeo explained that he was present during President Donald Trump’s first term, and that he recommended the president withdraw from the nuclear agreement that was reached during the era of President Barack Obama, saying: “They may come out today with some understandings, but the belief that there is a long-term solution that achieves stability and peace in the region.”

He pointed out that President Trump, in previous cases, used military build-ups and maximum pressure as a means to build greater negotiating leverage, adding: “I agree with Dr. Anwar Gargash, Iran would be wiser if it found a different path forward, not only in the interest of America or the region, but in the interest of the Iranian people.”

He stressed that it is difficult to imagine that the current Iranian leadership will change its behavior, stressing that President Trump will continue to press to achieve this.

He said: “All we asked of them was what Dr. Gargash talked about: that they be normal. We do not ask for anything exceptional.”

He added that the United States has engaged in long discussions with the UAE regarding uranium enrichment within its territory, noting that allowing Iran to enrich is unacceptable, and Tehran will not back down from it, and President Trump will not abandon this demand.

Regarding Europe, Pompeo said that he was present at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting when President Trump called on European countries to increase their defense spending and address their weakness in energy security.

He explained that Trump’s vision of security and deterrence is based on holding countries responsible for their security, saying: “The president says that Russia did not invade Europe during his era, but rather did so during Obama’s era, and then returned after he left.” Some may say it is a coincidence, but I see it as a deterrence model that worked.”

He stressed that Trump does not seek to break with Europe, nor to end the transatlantic alliance, considering that talking about that is a “media narrative,” and that the real goal is to push Europe to bear responsibility for its security, and to continue growing its economy, because a strong economy is the true path to peace.

Regarding Syria, Pompeo said that he wishes the current leadership success, considering that the stability of Syria is necessary for the stability of the region and the return of millions of refugees to their homes.

He continued: “We all hope that he will lead Syria to a better future, and that he will be able to unite a torn country, but this is a very difficult task, and his history makes it more complex.”

He stressed that everyone should hope that the current Syrian leadership will succeed in achieving its declared intentions.