国际英语资讯:Spotlight: After Trumps SOTU speech, Pompeo tries to reassure allies of U.S. commitment to_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: After Trumps SOTU speech, Pompeo tries to reassure allies of U.S. commitment to

In his second State of the Union (SOTU) address made on Tuesday night, Trump defended and touted his withdrawal decision, saying "great nations do not fight endless wars."

"When I took office, ISIS controlled more than 20,000 square miles in Iraq and Syria -- just two years ago. Today, we have liberated virtually all of the territory from the grip of these bloodthirsty monsters," Trump said. "Now, as we work with our allies to destroy the remnants of IS, it is time to give our brave warriors in Syria a warm welcome home."

The U.S.-led coalition has been engaged in an operation to drive out the IS militants from their last stronghold in the eastern Euphrates region in eastern Syria.

In December, however, Trump announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, leading to the resignation of then U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

As controversies over the U.S. withdrawal remained undiminished, Trump's remarks concerning Iraq and Iran have also overshadowed the ministerial meeting.

During an interview with CBS television aired on Sunday, Trump reportedly said that the important role of U.S. troops in Iraq is "to watch Iran."

Trump also blasted Iran in his SOTU speech by accusing Tehran as "the world's leading state sponsor of terror" and "a radical regime."

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted hours later that "Iranians... are commemorating 40 yrs of progress despite US pressure, just as @realDonaldTrump again makes accusations against us @ #SOTU2019."