BNL News reported earlier today that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had, without warning, canceled a previously planned meeting with German leader Angela Merkel. Although his reason was vague, Pompeo did mention there was a “matter of national security” he needed to attend to:
BREAKING NEWS: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has abruptly canceled his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel due to “matters of national security”
— BNL NEWS (@BreakingNLive) May 7, 2019
Hours later, BNL News provided more information, saying the Secretary was on his way to Iraq:
DEVELOPING: U.S. Sec. of State on his way to Iraq, after abruptly cancelling his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. https://t.co/VOVrVTYn1R
— BNL NEWS (@BreakingNLive) May 7, 2019
According to a CNN report, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said “pressing issues” were the cause of the cancelled meeting with Merkel:
“Unfortunately, we must reschedule the Berlin meetings due to pressing issues. We look forward to rescheduling this important set of meetings. The Secretary looks forward to being in Berlin soon.”
The press pool traveling with Pompeo has not been informed where exactly they are going, but were warned they will most likely not be able to conduct any reporting once they arrive at their destination.
This abrupt schedule change comes days after the Pentagon decided to deploy a carrier and bomber task force to the Middle East in response to new intelligence that suggests Iran’s military is planning on targeting U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria and at sea.
CNN reports:
The carrier group has been ordered to Strait of Hormuz in order to send a deterrent message to Iran, US officials said Sunday. The move is likely to heighten tensions as Tehran explicitly warned the US in April against any moves to block or interfere with the Strait. The 21-mile-wide waterway separates Iran from other Gulf countries and is a crucial conduit for the global economy, with 30% of the world’s crude oil passing through it.
On Sunday, Pompeo stated the U.S. will “hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests.”
Image Credit: ABC News
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