US to Expel Every Last Iranian Boot from Syria – Pompeo

The US will use diplomacy and work with its partners to "expel every last Iranian boot" from Syria, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has vowed.

Mr Pompeo warned there would be no US reconstruction aid for areas controlled by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until Iran and its proxies had left.

He was speaking in Cairo three weeks after President Donald Trump announced US troops were pulling out of Syria.

The decision shocked US allies and sparked strong criticism in Washington.

Mr Pompeo, who has been seeking to reassure allies following Mr Trump's surprise announcement, said: "America will not retreat until the terror fight is over. We will labour tirelessly alongside you to defeat Isis [the Islamic State group], al-Qaeda and other jihadists that threaten our security and yours."

He added that the US was a "force for good" in the Middle East, adding: "Where America retreats, chaos follows."

Iran, alongside Russia, has been supporting the Syrian government in the Syrian civil war, providing arms, military advisers, and reportedly combat troops.

The US is deeply suspicious of Iranian activity in the Middle East and views it as a destabilising force in the region.

It is also an ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia, two of Iran's foes.

On Thursday, Mr Pompeo said "we will not ease our campaign to stop Iran's malevolent influence and actions against this region and the world."

He added that American sanctions against Iran were "the strongest in history and will keep getting tougher".

FROM  .bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-