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Trump eyes Iran hawk to replace Tillerson

The US president is said to want CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who has advocated bombing Iran’s nuclear program, to become America’s top diplomat.
Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo speaks at The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, U.S. April 13, 2017. REUTERS/Eric Thayer - RC19305DC520

US President Donald Trump’s reported choice to replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state is an outspoken Iran hawk who has advocated pulling out of the nuclear deal and bombing the country’s nuclear facilities.

The New York Times reported today that Trump intends to nominate CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson within the next few weeks. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., another hard-liner against Iran, would then replace Pompeo as CIA director.

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