Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that “Brian Hook has decided to step down from his role as the U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary”. Asserting that Hook had “achieved historic results countering the Iranian regime”, Pompeo indicated that “following a transition period with Brian Hook, Elliott Abrams will assume the position of Special Representative for Iran, in addition to his responsibilities as Special Representative for Venezuela”. A U.S. diplomatic spokesperson described Abrams’ dual role as “a recognition of the growing confluence of threats from rogue international actors to the U.S.”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson reacted to the appointment by saying: “no difference between John Bolton, Brian Hook or Elliott Abrams; when it comes to the U.S. Iran policy, American officials have bitten off more than they could chew. Same applies to Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump and their successors”.