(JNS) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Thursday, August 7 that Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook has resigned. He is being replaced by Elliott Abrams, a veteran foreign-policy expert and policy hawk who currently is the State Department’s special representative for Venezuela. Since August 2018, Hook has been a primary Trump administration figure putting pressure on the Iranian regime’s nuclear, terror-related and other ambitions. His resignation comes as the Trump administration is attempting to gain international support to extend the soon-to-expire arms embargo on Iran. “I thank Special Representative Brian Hook for his 3+ years of service to the State Department and @realDonaldTrump as he moves on to the private sector. He has been a valued member of my leadership team,” tweeted Pompeo.

Abrams previously served in the administrations of presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. He is most well-known for his role in the Iran-Contra affair and was pardoned by the elder Bush in 1992. He will maintain his current position in regard to Venezuela as well.