US-Iran envoy Brian Hook steps down, Elliott Abrams takes over
Brian Hook, the U.S Iran envoy, has left his post and would be replaced by Elliott Abrams, the U.S. Venezuela envoy as soon as transition period is over.
Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, made the announcement on Thursday August 6, 2020, saying that Abrams would be adding more responsibility as he takes over Hook’s role.
Hook’s departure came at a critical time when the United Nations Security Council is gearing up to vote on a a U.S. bid to extend an international arms embargo on Iran.
The United States is determined to use a process called snapback to incur a return of the U N sanctions on Iran should the move to extend arms embargo fail.
The two 2015 nuclear deal between Ira and the U.S gave birth to snapback.
According to some diplomats, if the U.S decided to apply snapback, it possibly could take about 30 days starting from August ending.
January last year, Elliott Abrams, a Republican foreign policy veteran, was appointed U.S. special representative for Venezuela.
He had, since his appointment, led fierce approaches to aid removal of Nicolas Madurom, Venezuelan President.
However, it has been tough trying to unseat Madurom who enjoys his country’s military support and supports from nations such as, China, Cuba, Russia and Iran.
This although did not settle well with President Trump who is frustrated with failure to oust Madurom, according to some U.S officials.
