US-EU rift cracks wide open over Iran sanctions

AVA- US officials criticized European countries on Tuesday after they announced they would not back down on diplomacy with Tehran and promised to facilitate payments related to Iran’s exports as part of efforts to salvage the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after the US’ withdrawal.
Addressing an anti-Iran gathering on the sidelines of annual UN meetings, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was "disturbed and indeed deeply disappointed" by the EU announcement.
"This is one of the most counterproductive measures imaginable for regional and global peace and security," Pompeo said in a speech that was interrupted several times by protesters.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton also mocked Brussels for its lack of detail on the planned mechanism, saying, "The European Union is strong on rhetoric and weak on follow-through … we do not intend to allow our sanctions to be evaded by Europe or anybody else.”
The hawkish US politician also issued warnings to high-ranking Iranian officials, saying, “We are watching, and we will come after you."