President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear deal that it signed in 2015. He's announcing a new strategy in a speech at the White House.

Trump says the administration will seek to counter the regime's destabilizing activities and will impose additional sanctions on the regime to block its financing of terrorism.

The president says the new strategy will also seek to address the proliferation of Iran's missiles and weapons.

And he says the U.S. will deny Iran's paths to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington - 13 October 2017

1. Wide of President Donald Trump walking toward podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"By its own terms, the Iran deal was supposed to contribute to regional and international peace and security. And yet, while the United States adheres to our commitment under the deal, the Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict, terror and turmoil throughout the Middle East and beyond."

3. Wide cutaway of Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Importantly, Iran is not living up to the spirit of the deal. So today, in recognition of the increasing menace posed by Iran and after extensive consultations with our allies, I am announcing a new strategy to address the full range of Iran's destructive actions."

5. Wide cutaway of Trump

6. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"We will work with our allies to counter the regime's destabilizing activity and support for terrorist proxies in the region. Second, we will place additional sanctions on the regime to block their financing of terror. Third, we will address the regime's proliferation of missiles and weapons that threaten its neighbors' global trade and freedom of navigation. And finally, we will deny the regime all paths to a nuclear weapon."

7. Wide cutaway of Trump

8. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"I am authorising the Treasury Department to further sanction the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents and affiliates. I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran's continued dangerous and destabilising behaviour."

9. Wide cutaway of Trump

10. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the factual record I have put forward, I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout."

11. Wide cutaway of Trump

12. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Key House and Senate leaders are drafting legislation that would amend the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to strengthen enforcement, prevent Iran from developing an internat (sic) -- this is so totally important -- an intercontinental ballistic missile and make all restrictions on Iran's nuclear activity permanent under U.S. law. So important."

13. Wide cutaway of Trump

14. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated. It is under continued review and our participation can be cancelled by me, as president, at any time. As we have seen in North Korea, the longer we ignore a threat, the worse that threat becomes. It is why we are determined that the world's leading sponsor of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weapons."

15. Trump walks away from podium

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear deal that it signed in 2015. He's announcing a new strategy in a speech at the White House.

Trump says the administration will seek to counter the regime's destabilizing activities and will impose additional sanctions on the regime to block its financing of terrorism.

The president says the new strategy will also seek to address the proliferation of Iran's missiles and weapons.

And he says the U.S. will deny Iran's paths to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington - 13 October 2017

1. Wide of President Donald Trump walking toward podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"By its own terms, the Iran deal was supposed to contribute to regional and international peace and security. And yet, while the United States adheres to our commitment under the deal, the Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict, terror and turmoil throughout the Middle East and beyond."

3. Wide cutaway of Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Importantly, Iran is not living up to the spirit of the deal. So today, in recognition of the increasing menace posed by Iran and after extensive consultations with our allies, I am announcing a new strategy to address the full range of Iran's destructive actions."

5. Wide cutaway of Trump

6. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"We will work with our allies to counter the regime's destabilizing activity and support for terrorist proxies in the region. Second, we will place additional sanctions on the regime to block their financing of terror. Third, we will address the regime's proliferation of missiles and weapons that threaten its neighbors' global trade and freedom of navigation. And finally, we will deny the regime all paths to a nuclear weapon."

7. Wide cutaway of Trump

8. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"I am authorizing the Treasury Department to further sanction the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents and affiliates. I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran's continued dangerous and destabilizing behavior."

9. Wide cutaway of Trump

10. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the factual record I have put forward, I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout."

11. Wide cutaway of Trump

12. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Key House and Senate leaders are drafting legislation that would amend the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to strengthen enforcement, prevent Iran from developing an internat (sic) -- this is so totally important -- an intercontinental ballistic missile and make all restrictions on Iran's nuclear activity permanent under U.S. law. So important."

13. Wide cutaway of Trump

14. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated. It is under continued review and our participation can be cancelled by me, as president, at any time. As we have seen in North Korea, the longer we ignore a threat, the worse that threat becomes. It is why we are determined that the world's leading sponsor of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weapons."

15. Trump walks away from podium

President Donald Trump says Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of the nuclear deal that it signed in 2015. He's announcing a new strategy in a speech at the White House.

Trump says the administration will seek to counter the regime's destabilizing activities and will impose additional sanctions on the regime to block its financing of terrorism.

The president says the new strategy will also seek to address the proliferation of Iran's missiles and weapons.

And he says the U.S. will deny Iran's paths to develop nuclear weapons.

Washington - 13 October 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"While the United States adheres to our commitment under the deal, the Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict, terror and turmoil throughout the Middle East and beyond."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Importantly, Iran is not living up to the spirit of the deal. So today, in recognition of the increasing menace posed by Iran and after extensive consultations with our allies, I am announcing a new strategy to address the full range of Iran's destructive actions."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"We will work with our allies to counter the regime's destabilizing activity and support for terrorist proxies in the region. Second, we will place additional sanctions on the regime to block their financing of terror. Third, we will address the regime's proliferation of missiles and weapons that threaten its neighbors' global trade and freedom of navigation. And finally, we will deny the regime all paths to a nuclear weapon."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"I am authorizing the Treasury Department to further sanction the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents and affiliates. I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran's continued dangerous and destabilizing behavior."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the factual record I have put forward, I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. President Donald Trump:

"In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated. It is under continued review and our participation can be cancelled by me, as president, at any time. As we have seen in North Korea, the longer we ignore a threat, the worse that threat becomes. It is why we are determined that the world's leading sponsor of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weapons."

US President Donald Trump welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House Friday.

He thanked her for keeping up "maximum pressure" on the North Korean regime in efforts to end it's nuclear ambitions.

Trump says he and Merkel also discussed Iran, adding, "The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism."

Trump also said other countries must step up their financial and military contributions to fight Islamic State militants.

Washington, DC - 27 April 2018

1. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk down hallway to lecterns

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: (continued from previous shot)

"Thank you very much. Today I'm honored to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel back to the White House. Over the past year I have enjoyed getting to know the chancellor very well through many productive calls, discussions, and meetings. We have a great relationship. Chancellor, I want to congratulate you once again on your election victory, fourth term in office. It's really something. Congratulations."

3. Cutaway of Merkel nodding at Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"For decades, the alliance and friendship between Germany and the United States has advanced the cause of peace, prosperity and freedom. Today our nations face a wide array of shared challenges and opportunities. And I am confident that we will meet them together with the same strength and resolve that has always defined the United States-German friendship. This afternoon I want to congratulate the Republic of Korea and its historic summit with North Korea. We're encouraged by President Moon and Kim Jong Un's expressed goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. I will be meeting with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks. We look forward to that and hopefully it will be productive. I want to thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership in our campaign of maximum pressure on the North Korean regime, which has helped us to reach this important step, this moment where we are right now it's taken a long time many, many decades to get here. Let's see what happens. We seek a future of peace prosperity and harmony for the whole Korean peninsula. Unlocking not only a brighter future for the people of Korea, but for the people of the world. However, in pursuit of that goal we will not repeat the mistake of past administrations. Maximum pressure will continue until denuclearization occurs. I look forward to our meeting. It should be quite something. In our meetings today, the chancellor and I discussed Iran. The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism. No matter where you go in the Middle East, wherever there is a problem Iran is right there as we eradicate what little remains of ISIS in Syria, we must also ensure that Iran does not profit from our success. To prevent this outcome, it is essential that our coalition and regional partners step up their financial and military contributions to the anti-ISIS efforts. Some of these countries are immensely wealthy and they are going to start paying for it and paying for this tremendous help that we've given them."

5. Side shot of Trump and Merkel

On Capitol Hill, there was a predictably mixed reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran.

While some members of Congress expressed concern, saying the president made a mistake, other Senators praised the move.

"I'm glad we are out of it." Sen. Marco Rubio said after the president's announcement. "Iran ... is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

Rubio, who ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, said he is not surprised President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the deal, as he had made a promise to do so during the presidential campaign.

Sen. Chris Coons, who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the decision makes the U.S. "less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our allies."

The 2015 agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program that would make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections.

Washington - 8 May 2018

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Ben Cardin, (D) Maryland:

"I think the president's made a mistake and our objective is to make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon and to take action against their non-nuclear violations with cooperation of our European partners. And withdrawing from the nuclear agreement isolates America. I think it helps Iran and it works against our objectives to control their type of activities. We need to strictly enforce the nuclear agreement, we need to build on it. We need to isolate Iran. We need to work with our partners and the president by withdrawing from the international agreement has isolated America."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"Thoughts? Yeah, I'm glad we're out of it. Because it was a terrible deal and if you look at Iran today, they're stronger and more dangerous than they were before the deal. In Yemen, they have effective control, in Syria, they've started a civil war in Yemen. Hezbollah has more weapons and more reach and more political power in Lebanon than ever before. They've exploited the Gulf kingdom divide. The military budgets have grown exponentially. Iran has more influence and is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"They knew what was coming. Our allies have known for months and - but here's the bottom line. I campaigned for president and for Senate on the promise of getting rid of this deal. He won on the same promise - he was elected to do this, this is what he said he was going to do. I don't know why it surprises people that someone runs for president. gets elected on the promise of getting rid of the Iran deal and then gets rid of it."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Jeff Flake, (R) Arizona: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"I think that agreement, obviously, had problems. It didn't address Iran's maligned behavior or ballistic missiles. But after you were in it and after Iran has already realized the benefits of it - to now allow them to get out of their obligations on the nuclear side would be foolhardy, in my view. And also it says more about our willingness to work with our allies. We're having enough problems around the world, in terms of our reliability - whether it's trade or you know commercial engagements or security arrangements - to add this now at this point would not be good for us- particularly the knock on effects on other agreements, perhaps with North Korea or certainly security challenges or challenges that are yet to come."

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"This is a truly disappointing development. I think President Trump makes us less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our European allies with whom we crafted a deal that stopped the advance of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. I've got a couple of questions for the president. After this, how will we gain North Korea's confidence in any future agreement and how will we gain the confidence of our partners in the JCPOA, the Iran deal - China and Russia, Germany, France and the UK that we will have the inclination to stick with any future deal? I don't think it makes us any safer."

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I didn't see the president's comments yet. In general, I felt that the agreement negotiated by the Obama administration and other parties was flawed because it did not pertain to ballistic missiles and it essentially gave sanctions relief without taking away the ability of the Iranians to ultimately build a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, I would've preferred a course of action where the president worked with our allies to fix those flaws."

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than an hour Friday about extending an existing nuclear arms agreement and potentially starting a new one to include China.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the two leaders also discussed "very, very briefly" the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller as well as the conflict in Venezuela.

She also repeated the administration's line that "all options continue to be on the table" regarding Venezuela, where Russia is helping to prop up the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro.

Washington - 3 May 2019

1. Mid Sarah Sanders walks toward reporters on White House driveway

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I'm going to actually start first with a quick little update here. Earlier this morning the president spoke with (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin. They had a very good discussion. Spoke for a little over an hour. They discussed nuclear agreements, both new and extended, with the possibility of having conversations with China on that front as well. They discussed trade and the fact that it has increased between the two countries since the president has come into office. They also talked about North Korea. They also spoke about Ukraine and Venezuela and overall very positive conversation. And we'll have a more detailed readout coming shortly but wanted to give you guys that update while I was out here. Steve?

Reporter: What are the details, in this new nuclear agreement. Is it a new nuclear agreement with China, Russia, United States?

There was a discussion about having ... extending the current nuclear agreement as well as discussions about potentially starting a new one that could include China as well."

3. Back view of Sanders speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: Did the president discuss at all the findings of the Muller report and Russian interference as it was determined by that investigation? And did he also discuss some of the land-based offenses in Europe?

Very, very briefly was discussed essentially in the context of that it's over and there was no collusion, which I'm pretty sure both leaders were very well aware of long before this call took place. Something we've said for the better part of two and a half years and now they moved on to talk about those topics that I discussed with Russia.

Reporter: Did Putin relay any message to the president from Kim Jong Un after Putin and Kim met during their summit?

They spoke about North Korea for a good bit of time on the call and reiterated both the commitment and the need for denuclearization. And the president said several times on this front as well the need and importance of Russia stepping up and continuing to help and put pressure on North Korea to denuclearize. And that was again the focus of the president's comment on that front."

5. Close-up Sanders

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: There was a meeting at the Pentagon this morning with the president's top level national security officials about Venezuela, currently looking at military options. Has the ball on that in the past couple of days?

As we've said all, all along, all options continue to be on the table. We're looking at a number of different fronts. I don't have any new announcements or a change in direction. We continue to stand with the people of Venezuela and the president is continuing to push for aid to be delivered to those people. Beyond that, I don't have any updates but all options continue to be on the table. And the president the president's going to do what is required, if necessary."

7. Cutaway reporter

8. Wide

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: Russia's being very supportive of the Maduro regime. Did the president make any progress on getting him to step off that support or help with the transition?

Again the president reiterated the need for a peaceful transition. And his focus throughout the conversation was on the need to help the people and make sure that that aid was actually getting to them and being delivered. Take one last question.

Reporter: Has White House formally instructed Don McGann not to comply with the congressional requests?

I'm not aware of a formal conversation on that front. Thanks guys.

Reporter: Who initiated this call and is it any closer to these ... President Trump and Putin meeting for a summit down the line? And then, secondarily what was the response from Putin when the president talked about the need to engage in a peaceful transition?

I'm not aware of any planned meeting upcoming for the two presidents, but I do know that Secretary (of State Mike) Pompeo is expected to meet, I believe with his counterparts next week. And those conversations after that we'll see what happens from there.

Reporter:You said that they talked about the Mueller report being over but the Mueller report also outlines in extensive detailed attempts by Putin and Russia to interfere in the election. Did not come up at all?

Again the conversation on that part was very quick. But what I can tell you is that this administration, unlike the previous one, takes election meddling seriously and we're going to do everything that we can to prevent it from happening. That's why we've taken a whole of government approach. We have had contact with all 50 states and are looking at ways to actually prevent it from taking place instead of like they did in 2016, just letting it happen. No about it and doing nothing and then trying to blame it on the incoming administration. We're not going to let that happen. And so we're going to actually be serious and take our jobs seriously. Thanks guys"

10. Pan Sanders walks away

US President Donald Trump welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House Friday.

He thanked her for keeping up "maximum pressure" on the North Korean regime in efforts to end it's nuclear ambitions.

Trump says he and Merkel also discussed Iran, adding, "The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism."

Trump also said other countries must step up their financial and military contributions to fight Islamic State militants.

Washington, DC - 27 April 2018

1. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk down hallway to lecterns

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: (continued from previous shot)

"Thank you very much. Today I'm honoured to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel back to the White House. Over the past year I have enjoyed getting to know the chancellor very well through many productive calls, discussions, and meetings. We have a great relationship. Chancellor, I want to congratulate you once again on your election victory, fourth term in office. It's really something. Congratulations."

3. Cutaway of Merkel nodding at Trump

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"For decades, the alliance and friendship between Germany and the United States has advanced the cause of peace, prosperity and freedom. Today our nations face a wide array of shared challenges and opportunities. And I am confident that we will meet them together with the same strength and resolve that has always defined the United States-German friendship. This afternoon I want to congratulate the Republic of Korea and its historic summit with North Korea. We're encouraged by President Moon and Kim Jong Un's expressed goal of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. I will be meeting with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks. We look forward to that and hopefully it will be productive. I want to thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership in our campaign of maximum pressure on the North Korean regime, which has helped us to reach this important step, this moment where we are right now it's taken a long time many, many decades to get here. Let's see what happens. We seek a future of peace prosperity and harmony for the whole Korean peninsula. Unlocking not only a brighter future for the people of Korea, but for the people of the world. However, in pursuit of that goal we will not repeat the mistake of past administrations. Maximum pressure will continue until denuclearisation occurs. I look forward to our meeting. It should be quite something. In our meetings today, the chancellor and I discussed Iran. The Iranian regime fuels violence bloodshed and chaos all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon and that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism. No matter where you go in the Middle East, wherever there is a problem Iran is right there as we eradicate what little remains of ISIS in Syria, we must also ensure that Iran does not profit from our success. To prevent this outcome, it is essential that our coalition and regional partners step up their financial and military contributions to the anti-ISIS efforts. Some of these countries are immensely wealthy and they are going to start paying for it and paying for this tremendous help that we've given them."

5. Side shot of Trump and Merkel

U.S. President Donald Trump singles out Germany Thursday for not paying their NATO commitments during a meeting at the White House with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions," said Trump.

"Germany has not contributed what they should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary, far bigger than the United States frankly, " he said.

While Stoltenberg said "all allies had started to increase defense spending" after years of decline.

Trump and Stoltenberg both also spoke about the push to denuclearize North Korea.

Washington DC - 17 May 2018

1. Cutaway of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're delighted to report that last year as a result of our joint efforts, we witnessed the single largest increase in defense spending among European member states and Canada in a quarter of a century. That really is quite a spectacular achievement. So I congratulate you and congratulate you very much. We really have worked in many respects, but that was I think a big one. We had countries that were not paying what they were supposed to be paying. Now most countries are not all, and they think you'll be able to handle the ones that aren't, right? I have confidence."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're still waiting on 20 member states to meet their NATO commitments and spend at least 2 percent on defense and 2 percent is a very low number. The number really should be 4 percent, 2 percent is a very low number. In particular Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions. Germany has not contributed what it should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary. Far bigger than the United States frankly."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I also discussed with Secretary-General Stoltenberg our commitment to stopping nuclear proliferation, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We want a future of safety security peace for all Koreans and for the entire world. My administration is also committed to working with our allies to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and their destabilizing activities all across the Middle East. No matter where you go, no matter when there's a problem there's Iran right behind it and we're not going to have that any longer."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"After years of decline, all allies have started to increase defense spending. No allies are cutting budgets anymore and more and more allies are up 2 percent of GDP for defense. But I also agree that we have to do more. So allies will continue to work on defense spending, because we need to invest more in our security when the world is more unpredictable, as it is today."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We also support your efforts to try to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The aim should be to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to make sure that there are no nuclear weapons there. And also to stop not only the development of nuclear weapons but also the missile program. So therefore we support the initiative on the work for having a summit."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We think it's important also to make sure that we still have pressure on North Korea. North Korea has to seize this opportunity, this historic opportunity to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

13. Cutaway

U.S. President Donald Trump singles out Germany Thursday for not paying their NATO commitments during a meeting at the White House with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defence contributions," said Trump.

"Germany has not contributed what they should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary, far bigger than the United States frankly, " he said.

While Stoltenberg said "all allies had started to increase defence spending" after years of decline.

Trump and Stoltenberg both also spoke about the push to denuclearise North Korea.

Washington DC - 17 May 2018

1. Cutaway of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're delighted to report that last year as a result of our joint efforts, we witnessed the single largest increase in defense spending among European member states and Canada in a quarter of a century. That really is quite a spectacular achievement. So I congratulate you and congratulate you very much. We really have worked in many respects, but that was I think a big one. We had countries that were not paying what they were supposed to be paying. Now most countries are not all, and they think you'll be able to handle the ones that aren't, right? I have confidence."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're still waiting on 20 member states to meet their NATO commitments and spend at least 2 percent on defense and 2 percent is a very low number. The number really should be 4 percent, 2 percent is a very low number. In particular Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions. Germany has not contributed what it should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary. Far bigger than the United States frankly."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I also discussed with Secretary-General Stoltenberg our commitment to stopping nuclear proliferation, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We want a future of safety security peace for all Koreans and for the entire world. My administration is also committed to working with our allies to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and their destabilizing activities all across the Middle East. No matter where you go, no matter when there's a problem there's Iran right behind it and we're not going to have that any longer."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"After years of decline, all allies have started to increase defense spending. No allies are cutting budgets anymore and more and more allies are up 2 percent of GDP for defense. But I also agree that we have to do more. So allies will continue to work on defense spending, because we need to invest more in our security when the world is more unpredictable, as it is today."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We also support your efforts to try to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The aim should be to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to make sure that there are no nuclear weapons there. And also to stop not only the development of nuclear weapons but also the missile program. So therefore we support the initiative on the work for having a summit."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We think it's important also to make sure that we still have pressure on North Korea. North Korea has to seize this opportunity, this historic opportunity to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

13. Cutaway

U.S. President Donald Trump singles out Germany Thursday for not paying their NATO commitments during a meeting at the White House with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions," said Trump.

"Germany has not contributed what they should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary, far bigger than the United States frankly, " he said.

While Stoltenberg said "all allies had started to increase defense spending" after years of decline.

Trump and Stoltenberg both also spoke about the push to denuclearize North Korea.

Washington DC - 17 May 2018

1. Cutaway of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're delighted to report that last year as a result of our joint efforts, we witnessed the single largest increase in defense spending among European member states and Canada in a quarter of a century. That really is quite a spectacular achievement. So I congratulate you and congratulate you very much. We really have worked in many respects, but that was I think a big one. We had countries that were not paying what they were supposed to be paying. Now most countries are not all, and they think you'll be able to handle the ones that aren't, right? I have confidence."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're still waiting on 20 member states to meet their NATO commitments and spend at least 2 percent on defense and 2 percent is a very low number. The number really should be 4 percent, 2 percent is a very low number. In particular Germany must demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its long standing shortfall in defense contributions. Germany has not contributed what it should be contributing and it's a very big beneficiary. Far bigger than the United States frankly."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I also discussed with Secretary-General Stoltenberg our commitment to stopping nuclear proliferation, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We want a future of safety security peace for all Koreans and for the entire world. My administration is also committed to working with our allies to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and their destabilizing activities all across the Middle East. No matter where you go, no matter when there's a problem there's Iran right behind it and we're not going to have that any longer."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"After years of decline, all allies have started to increase defense spending. No allies are cutting budgets anymore and more and more allies are up 2 percent of GDP for defense. But I also agree that we have to do more. So allies will continue to work on defense spending, because we need to invest more in our security when the world is more unpredictable, as it is today."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We also support your efforts to try to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The aim should be to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to make sure that there are no nuclear weapons there. And also to stop not only the development of nuclear weapons but also the missile program. So therefore we support the initiative on the work for having a summit."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General:

"We think it's important also to make sure that we still have pressure on North Korea. North Korea has to seize this opportunity, this historic opportunity to solve the crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

13. Cutaway

On Capitol Hill, there was a predictably mixed reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran.

While some members of Congress expressed concern, saying the president made a mistake, other Senators praised the move.

"I'm glad we are out of it." Sen. Marco Rubio said after the president's announcement. "Iran ... is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

Rubio, who ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, said he is not surprised President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the deal, as he had made a promise to do so during the presidential campaign.

Sen. Chris Coons, who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the decision makes the U.S. "less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our allies."

The 2015 agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program that would make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections.

Washington - 8 May 2018

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Ben Cardin, (D) Maryland:

"I think the president's made a mistake and our objective is to make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon and to take action against their non-nuclear violations with cooperation of our European partners. And withdrawing from the nuclear agreement isolates America. I think it helps Iran and it works against our objectives to control their type of activities. We need to strictly enforce the nuclear agreement, we need to build on it. We need to isolate Iran. We need to work with our partners and the president by withdrawing from the international agreement has isolated America."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"Thoughts? Yeah, I'm glad we're out of it. Because it was a terrible deal and if you look at Iran today, they're stronger and more dangerous than they were before the deal. In Yemen, they have effective control, in Syria, they've started a civil war in Yemen. Hezbollah has more weapons and more reach and more political power in Lebanon than ever before. They've exploited the Gulf kingdom divide. The military budgets have grown exponentially. Iran has more influence and is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"They knew what was coming. Our allies have known for months and - but here's the bottom line. I campaigned for president and for Senate on the promise of getting rid of this deal. He won on the same promise - he was elected to do this, this is what he said he was going to do. I don't know why it surprises people that someone runs for president. gets elected on the promise of getting rid of the Iran deal and then gets rid of it."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Jeff Flake, (R) Arizona: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"I think that agreement, obviously, had problems. It didn't address Iran's maligned behavior or ballistic missiles. But after you were in it and after Iran has already realized the benefits of it - to now allow them to get out of their obligations on the nuclear side would be foolhardy, in my view. And also it says more about our willingness to work with our allies. We're having enough problems around the world, in terms of our reliability - whether it's trade or you know commercial engagements or security arrangements - to add this now at this point would not be good for us- particularly the knock on effects on other agreements, perhaps with North Korea or certainly security challenges or challenges that are yet to come."

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"This is a truly disappointing development. I think President Trump makes us less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our European allies with whom we crafted a deal that stopped the advance of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. I've got a couple of questions for the president. After this, how will we gain North Korea's confidence in any future agreement and how will we gain the confidence of our partners in the JCPOA, the Iran deal - China and Russia, Germany, France and the UK that we will have the inclination to stick with any future deal? I don't think it makes us any safer."

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I didn't see the president's comments yet. In general, I felt that the agreement negotiated by the Obama administration and other parties was flawed because it did not pertain to ballistic missiles and it essentially gave sanctions relief without taking away the ability of the Iranians to ultimately build a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, I would've preferred a course of action where the president worked with our allies to fix those flaws."

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than an hour Friday about extending an existing nuclear arms agreement and potentially starting a new one to include China.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the two leaders also discussed "very, very briefly" the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller as well as the conflict in Venezuela.

She also repeated the administration's line that "all options continue to be on the table" regarding Venezuela, where Russia is helping to prop up the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro.

Washington - 3 May 2019

1. Mid Sarah Sanders walks toward reporters on White House driveway

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I'm going to actually start first with a quick little update here. Earlier this morning the president spoke with (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin. They had a very good discussion. Spoke for a little over an hour. They discussed nuclear agreements, both new and extended, with the possibility of having conversations with China on that front as well. They discussed trade and the fact that it has increased between the two countries since the president has come into office. They also talked about North Korea. They also spoke about Ukraine and Venezuela and overall very positive conversation. And we'll have a more detailed readout coming shortly but wanted to give you guys that update while I was out here. Steve?

Reporter: What are the details, in this new nuclear agreement. Is it a new nuclear agreement with China, Russia, United States?

There was a discussion about having ... extending the current nuclear agreement as well as discussions about potentially starting a new one that could include China as well."

3. Back view of Sanders speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: Did the president discuss at all the findings of the Muller report and Russian interference as it was determined by that investigation? And did he also discuss some of the land-based offenses in Europe?

Very, very briefly was discussed essentially in the context of that it's over and there was no collusion, which I'm pretty sure both leaders were very well aware of long before this call took place. Something we've said for the better part of two and a half years and now they moved on to talk about those topics that I discussed with Russia.

Reporter: Did Putin relay any message to the president from Kim Jong Un after Putin and Kim met during their summit?

They spoke about North Korea for a good bit of time on the call and reiterated both the commitment and the need for denuclearization. And the president said several times on this front as well the need and importance of Russia stepping up and continuing to help and put pressure on North Korea to denuclearize. And that was again the focus of the president's comment on that front."

5. Close-up Sanders

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter: There was a meeting at the Pentagon this morning with the president's top level national security officials about Venezuela, currently looking at military options. Has the ball on that in the past couple of days?

As we've said all, all along, all options continue to be on the table. We're looking at a number of different fronts. I don't have any new announcements or a change in direction. We continue to stand with the people of Venezuela and the president is continuing to push for aid to be delivered to those people. Beyond that, I don't have any updates but all options continue to be on the table. And the president the president's going to do what is required, if necessary."

7. Cutaway reporter

8. Wide

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Reporter:  Russia's being very supportive of the Maduro regime.  Did the president make any progress on getting him to step off that support or help with the transition?

Again the president reiterated the need for a peaceful transition. And his focus throughout the conversation was on the need to help the people and make sure that that aid was actually getting to them and being delivered. Take one last question.

Reporter: Has White House formally instructed Don McGann not to comply with the congressional requests?

I'm not aware of a formal conversation on that front. Thanks guys.

Reporter: Who initiated this call and is it any closer to these ... President Trump and Putin meeting for a summit down the line? And then, secondarily what was the response from Putin when the president talked about the need to engage in a peaceful transition?

I'm not aware of any planned meeting upcoming for the two presidents, but I do know that Secretary (of State Mike) Pompeo is expected to meet, I believe with his counterparts next week. And those conversations after that we'll see what happens from there.

Reporter:You said that they talked about the Mueller report being over but the Mueller report also outlines in extensive detailed attempts by Putin and Russia to interfere in the election.  Did not come up at all?

Again the conversation on that part was very quick. But what I can tell you is that this administration, unlike the previous one, takes election meddling seriously and we're going to do everything that we can to prevent it from happening. That's why we've taken a whole of government approach. We have had contact with all 50 states and are looking at ways to actually prevent it from taking place instead of like they did in 2016, just letting it happen. No about it and doing nothing and then trying to blame it on the incoming administration. We're not going to let that happen. And so we're going to actually be serious and take our jobs seriously. Thanks guys"

10. Pan Sanders walks away

On Capitol Hill, there was a predictably mixed reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a nuclear accord with Iran.

While some members of Congress expressed concern, saying the president made a mistake, other Senators praised the move.

"I'm glad we are out of it." Sen. Marco Rubio said after the president's announcement. "Iran ... is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

Rubio, who ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, said he is not surprised President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the deal, as he had made a promise to do so during the presidential campaign.

Sen. Chris Coons, who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the decision makes the U.S. "less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our allies."

The 2015 agreement had lifted most U.S. and international sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program that would make it impossible to produce a bomb, along with rigorous inspections.

Washington - 8 May 2018

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Ben Cardin, (D) Maryland:

"I think the president's made a mistake and our objective is to make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon and to take action against their non-nuclear violations with cooperation of our European partners. And withdrawing from the nuclear agreement isolates America. I think it helps Iran and it works against our objectives to control their type of activities. We need to strictly enforce the nuclear agreement, we need to build on it. We need to isolate Iran. We need to work with our partners and the president by withdrawing from the international agreement has isolated America."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"Thoughts? Yeah, I'm glad we're out of it. Because it was a terrible deal and if you look at Iran today, they're stronger and more dangerous than they were before the deal. In Yemen, they have effective control, in Syria, they've started a civil war in Yemen. Hezbollah has more weapons and more reach and more political power in Lebanon than ever before. They've exploited the Gulf kingdom divide. The military budgets have grown exponentially. Iran has more influence and is more dangerous today than it was the day before the deal was signed."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"They knew what was coming. Our allies have known for months and - but here's the bottom line. I campaigned for president and for Senate on the promise of getting rid of this deal. He won on the same promise - he was elected to do this, this is what he said he was going to do. I don't know why it surprises people that someone runs for president. gets elected on the promise of getting rid of the Iran deal and then gets rid of it."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Jeff Flake, (R) Arizona: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

"I think that agreement, obviously, had problems. It didn't address Iran's maligned behavior or ballistic missiles. But after you were in it and after Iran has already realized the benefits of it - to now allow them to get out of their obligations on the nuclear side would be foolhardy, in my view. And also it says more about our willingness to work with our allies. We're having enough problems around the world, in terms of our reliability - whether it's trade or you know commercial engagements or security arrangements - to add this now at this point would not be good for us- particularly the knock on effects on other agreements, perhaps with North Korea or certainly security challenges or challenges that are yet to come."

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"This is a truly disappointing development. I think President Trump makes us less safe, less secure by weakening our bonds with our European allies with whom we crafted a deal that stopped the advance of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. I've got a couple of questions for the president. After this, how will we gain North Korea's confidence in any future agreement and how will we gain the confidence of our partners in the JCPOA, the Iran deal - China and Russia, Germany, France and the UK that we will have the inclination to stick with any future deal? I don't think it makes us any safer."

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I didn't see the president's comments yet. In general, I felt that the agreement negotiated by the Obama administration and other parties was flawed because it did not pertain to ballistic missiles and it essentially gave sanctions relief without taking away the ability of the Iranians to ultimately build a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, I would've preferred a course of action where the president worked with our allies to fix those flaws."

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

STORY

The Iran nuclear agreement cannot be destroyed by the incoming US administration, says a former International Atomic Energy Agency chief, despite president-elect Donald Trump's criticism of the deal during the presidential campaign.

Hans Blix believes Washington "can put obstacles in the way" but stressed, however, that the deal is backed by the entire UN Security Council, so ripping it up could prove very difficult.

Along the campaign trail, Trump issued a variety of statements about last year's pact, calling it "stupid," a "lopsided disgrace" and the "worst deal ever negotiated."

He also railed against its time-limited restrictions on Iran's enrichment of uranium and other nuclear activity, painting US and European concessions in often cartoonish hyperbole.

During the campaign, Trump also appeared to encourage the development of nuclear weapons by other allied states, however Blix believes this will change once he takes office.

"He will realise that if Japan were to move for nuclear weapons - and they could do so in a very short time if they wanted to - that the whole political situation and atmosphere in the Far East would be very, very different," he argued.

SHOWS

Stockholm - 10 November 2016

1. Various of former IAEA (the International Atomic Energy Agency) chief Hans Blix taking part in panel discussion in Sweden about small-arms control

2. Close-up on face of Blix

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Blix, former IAEA chief:

"I think it would be very difficult for the US to extricate (itself) from that (Iran nuclear) agreement. And I think it was to the great credit of Obama and Hillary Clinton that they stood behind it. And I think it gives...if it were not for that agreement, there would be a greater risk that Iran might move towards nuclear weapons."

4. Cutaway

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Blix, former IAEA chief:

"To tear it up (the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers), I think would be very difficult. Because it is not just a bilateral agreement between the US and Iran. It's also Russia, it's China, it's UK and France, and it is the whole (UN) Security Council that stands behind it. And the UN Security Council have lifted the sanctions. The UN sanctions are no longer there, European sanctions are no longer there. Maybe the US under Trump would obstruct and that they would let their financial institutions to consider powers to prevent transactions in (US) dollars with Iran, so they can put obstacles in the way, but they cannot destroy the agreement."

6. Various cutaways

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Blix, former IAEA chief:

"I think that he will recognise that the world is a lot more dangerous for the US and for everybody if there are more states that have nuclear weapons than less. Trump has made some statements that question this. He said well why shouldn't (the) Japanese have their weapons or South Koreans have their weapons. But I think that better advice and looking at the matter more closely, he will realise that if Japan were to move for nuclear weapons - and they could do so in a very short time if they wanted to - that the whole political situation and atmosphere in the Far East would be very, very different."

8. Cutaway

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Blix, former IAEA chief:

"Now, one has to make some distinction between what politicians say in election campaigns and in other... And I think that he has been very careless in the election campaign. It could come out this way or it could come out that way. But once you are in an institution, there are many factors available to you. You have the big military establishment of the United States: they are not reckless. I may not always agree with them, certainly not, but they are not reckless."

10. Cutaway

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Blix, former IAEA chief:

"We need a detente in the world in order to get back to climate. Whether that will happen under Trump, we don't know, he is a very touchy guy and maybe he is someone to fear that if you step on his toes he will touch the button (nuclear trigger). But he is also someone who thinks very freely, who is not wedded to old doctrines. And that could in some situations be an advantage. One has the impression that he is not keen on interventionism for instance. In that sense similar to Obama - Obama did not intervene in Libya, he did not intervene in Syria, he did not want to have a no-fly-zone in Syria, which Hillary (Clinton) wanted to have. So it's still open questions here."

12. Blix talking after interview

The top U.S. diplomat is defending President Donald Trump's decision to seek out a second summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un even though Kim's government has not followed through on commitments to halt its nuclear program.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, "We've been at this the other way an awfully long time and failed."

Pompeo says, "We're bringing the two senior leaders, the individuals who can actually make the decisions that will move this process forward," in hopes they can make a breakthrough.

Trump said Monday he hopes to meet with Kim again "quite soon."

In light of reports that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was expected to be fired, Pompeo and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley also responded to questions about whether they were present for any conversations in which the 25th amendment was invoked to have the Cabinet remove the president from office.

POOL

New York - 24 September 2018

1. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley walk toward podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"President Trump's leadership, combined with efforts of countries to enforce the pressure campaign, has deescalated tensions with North Korea and brought us closer to our final goal - the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, as agreed to by Chairman Kim Jong Un. Last week's summit between President Moon and Chairman Kim yielded another positive step forward but the president remains resolute. Now is not the time to ease pressure."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"To set a date certain would be foolish. But make no mistake about it - the conversations that we're having are important. They're putting the opportunity to complete the denuclearization in place and we will continue at every level to have those conversations. Some of them you will all be aware of, some of them you won't know are taking place."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"These are the UN Security Council resolutions that demanded that North Korea give up its nuclear weapons program and even more broadly, its nuclear capabilities. Those aren't United States demands. They are the United Nations demands and we're working to assist in implementing them and to help. Chairman Kim get to the right place to honor the promise that he made to President Trump in Singapore."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"The president said this morning that they'll meet soon, I am confident that will happen. I expect I'll be traveling to Pyongyang before too long as well, to make the final preparations for the second meeting between the two leaders."

UPSOUND (English) Reporter: "Would that be before the end of the year? What is 'soon'?"

SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"Yes, I - Lord-willing, I will be traveling before the end of the year."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"We expect the full, complete, verified denuclearization of North Korea and until such time as that occurs, the economic sanctions, the sanctions that were put in place by the United Nations Security Council will remain in place. That's the core proposition that the president agreed to in Singapore and it's the one we're going to continue honor through the whole process."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"We're coming at this from a different direction, we're bringing the two senior leaders, the individuals who can actually make the decisions that will move this process forward - bring them together, so we can continue to make progress towards what the UN Security Council has demanded and what Chairman Kim has promised he would do. That's the effort. There remains work to be done. There will be some time before we get to complete denuclearization for sure, but we've been at this the other way for an awfully long time and failed and put America in the position it finds itself today - at risk from North Korean nuclear weapons."

13. Close of reporter asking question

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, on whether another meeting with Kim Jong Un would be "ludicrous" if details are not in place first:

"Absolutely not. If we can continue to make progress and have conversations, I think there's enormous value in that."

15. Close of reporter asking question about discussions in which invoking the 25th amendment was allegedly brought up

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, responding to question about being present for discussions about invoking 25th amendment:

"Literally, I have never once been in the White House where that conversation has happened. I'm not aware of any cabinet members that are even talking about that. It is completely and totally absurd. No one is questioning the president at all. If anything, we're trying to keep up the pace with him in the fact that he's got a lot he wants to accomplish very quickly and we're going to continue to support him in the way that he does that."

17. Close of reporter

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, also responding to question on 25th amendment:

"No discussion with me about the 25th Amendment anywhere, either. So you can now report that there are two senior leaders that have said that your question was ludicrous."

19. Close of reporter asking question

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, also responding to question on 25th amendment:

"I find the question ludicrous. I've been involved - I've been at the center of this administration, along with lots of other folks for, from virtually day one. I think it was actually day three or four. I've never heard anyone talk about it, whisper about it, joke about it in any way. I've been in a lot of meetings with a lot of senior officials from this government."

21. Pompeo walks away from podium

The top U.S. diplomat is defending President Donald Trump's decision to seek out a second summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un even though Kim's government has not followed through on commitments to halt its nuclear program.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, "We've been at this the other way an awfully long time and failed."

Pompeo says, "We're bringing the two senior leaders, the individuals who can actually make the decisions that will move this process forward," in hopes they can make a breakthrough.

Trump said Monday he hopes to meet with Kim again "quite soon."

In light of reports that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was expected to be fired, Pompeo and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley also responded to questions about whether they were present for any conversations in which the 25th amendment was invoked to have the Cabinet remove the president from office.

POOL

New York - 24 September 2018

1. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley walk toward podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"President Trump's leadership, combined with efforts of countries to enforce the pressure campaign, has deescalated tensions with North Korea and brought us closer to our final goal - the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, as agreed to by Chairman Kim Jong Un. Last week's summit between President Moon and Chairman Kim yielded another positive step forward but the president remains resolute. Now is not the time to ease pressure."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"To set a date certain would be foolish. But make no mistake about it - the conversations that we're having are important. They're putting the opportunity to complete the denuclearization in place and we will continue at every level to have those conversations. Some of them you will all be aware of, some of them you won't know are taking place."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"These are the UN Security Council resolutions that demanded that North Korea give up its nuclear weapons program and even more broadly, its nuclear capabilities. Those aren't United States demands. They are the United Nations demands and we're working to assist in implementing them and to help. Chairman Kim get to the right place to honor the promise that he made to President Trump in Singapore."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"The president said this morning that they'll meet soon, I am confident that will happen. I expect I'll be traveling to Pyongyang before too long as well, to make the final preparations for the second meeting between the two leaders."

UPSOUND (English) Reporter: "Would that be before the end of the year? What is 'soon'?"

SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"Yes, I - Lord-willing, I will be traveling before the end of the year."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"We expect the full, complete, verified denuclearization of North Korea and until such time as that occurs, the economic sanctions, the sanctions that were put in place by the United Nations Security Council will remain in place. That's the core proposition that the president agreed to in Singapore and it's the one we're going to continue honor through the whole process."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State:

"We're coming at this from a different direction, we're bringing the two senior leaders, the individuals who can actually make the decisions that will move this process forward - bring them together, so we can continue to make progress towards what the UN Security Council has demanded and what Chairman Kim has promised he would do. That's the effort. There remains work to be done. There will be some time before we get to complete denuclearization for sure, but we've been at this the other way for an awfully long time and failed and put America in the position it finds itself today - at risk from North Korean nuclear weapons."

13. Close of reporter asking question

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, on whether another meeting with Kim Jong Un would be "ludicrous" if details are not in place first:

"Absolutely not. If we can continue to make progress and have conversations, I think there's enormous value in that."

15. Close of reporter asking question about discussions in which invoking the 25th amendment was allegedly brought up

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, responding to question about being present for discussions about invoking 25th amendment:

"Literally, I have never once been in the White House where that conversation has happened. I'm not aware of any cabinet members that are even talking about that. It is completely and totally absurd. No one is questioning the president at all. If anything, we're trying to keep up the pace with him in the fact that he's got a lot he wants to accomplish very quickly and we're going to continue to support him in the way that he does that."

17. Close of reporter

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, also responding to question on 25th amendment:

"No discussion with me about the 25th Amendment anywhere, either. So you can now report that there are two senior leaders that have said that your question was ludicrous."

19. Close of reporter asking question

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, also responding to question on 25th amendment:

"I find the question ludicrous. I've been involved - I've been at the center of this administration, along with lots of other folks for, from virtually day one. I think it was actually day three or four. I've never heard anyone talk about it, whisper about it, joke about it in any way. I've been in a lot of meetings with a lot of senior officials from this government."

21. Pompeo walks away from podium

Republican presidential rivals and friends-for-now Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on Wednesday savaged the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran, calling it an incompetently negotiated deal that will cost "countless" American and Israeli lives and should be discarded by the next president.

"We are led by very, very stupid people," Trump, the GOP front-runner weighed in, at a midday rally on Capitol Hill. He called the deal "incompetent" and poised to fail in the fight against Islamic militants. "We will have so much winning if I get elected, that you may get bored with winning."

Cruz, who invited Trump to the event, said supporters of the deal will have blood on their hands.

The pairing at Wednesday's rally, sponsored by tea party and pro-Israel activists, is the product of what Trump acknowledged beforehand as "a little bit of a romance" at this early stage of the 2016 presidential race.

The two spoke as Congress debated the deal, which is designed to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Republicans and Israel say Iran can't be trusted because its leaders want to annihilate the Jewish state.

Republican presidential rivals and friends-for-now Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on Wednesday savaged the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran, calling it an incompetently negotiated deal that will cost "countless" American and Israeli lives and should be discarded by the next president.

"We are led by very, very stupid people," Trump, the GOP front-runner weighed in, at a midday rally on Capitol Hill. He called the deal "incompetent" and poised to fail in the fight against Islamic militants. "We will have so much winning if I get elected, that you may get bored with winning."

Cruz, who invited Trump to the event, said supporters of the deal will have blood on their hands.

The pairing at Wednesday's rally, sponsored by tea party and pro-Israel activists, is the product of what Trump acknowledged beforehand as "a little bit of a romance" at this early stage of the 2016 presidential race.

The two spoke as Congress debated the deal, which is designed to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Republicans and Israel say Iran can't be trusted because its leaders want to annihilate the Jewish state.

AP TELEVISION

Washington, DC - 9 September 2015

1. Donald Trump walking up to podium outside Capitol

2. Wide shot of Trump speaking

3. 1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Candidate:

"I've been doing deals for a long time, I've been making lots of wonderful deals, great deals that's what I do. Never, ever in my life have I seen any transaction so incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran and I mean never."

4. Cutaway of crowd

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Candidate:

"We are led by very, very stupid people. Very, very stupid people. We cannot let it continue. We are a country that owes 19 trillion dollars, we lose everywhere, we lose militarily, we can't beat ISIS. Give me a break, we can't beat anybody."

6. Sen. Ted Cruz walking up to podium

7. Wide shot of Cruz in front of Capitol

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Ted Cruz, (R) Presidential Candidate:

"This Iranian nuclear deal is catastrophic. It is the single greatest national security threat to America."

9. Cutaway of crowd

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ted Cruz, (R) Presidential Candidate:

"If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, the single greatest risk is they would take that nuclear weapon, they would put it on a ship anywhere in the Atlantic and they would fire it up, straight into the air, into the atmosphere, they would set off what's called an EMP - an electromagnetic pulse - it would take down the electrical grid on the entire eastern seaboard and kill tens of millions of Americans. We can stop that."

11. Wide of Cruz at podium

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ted Cruz, (R) Presidential Candidate:

" if Senate Democrats decide that party loyalty matters more than national security. And if Republican leadership decides that a showboat is more important than stopping this deal, than the single biggest issue in 2016 will be stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. And any commander in chief worthy of defending this nation should be prepared to stand up on January 20th, 2017 and rip to shreds this catastrophic deal. (applause)

13. Pan from Capitol dome to Cruz speaking

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi led a group of House Democrats in blasting President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement.  

Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan defended Trump's praise for North Korea in the wake of its release of three U.S. detainees.

Ryan also touted the health of the U.S. economy.

Washington, DC - 10 May 2018

1. Wide of House Minority Leader Pelosi, others walk on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, (D) Minority Leader:

"President Trump's dangerous action leaves America isolated in regard to Iran. It erodes our international credibility during a critical moment with North Korea, and it recklessly puts the catastrophic threat of a nuclear armed Iran back on the table."

3. House Democrats on stage

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California

"The decision the president made this week to renege on the Iranian nuclear deal makes Iran's nuclear program now more likely to be resumed. It means that the nuclear deal over time is more likely to unravel and Iran may go back to pursuit of highly enriched uranium and ultimately a nuclear weapon."

5. Rep. Schiff, others on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Gerry Connolly, (D) Virginia

"The probability of a nuclear Iran has now risen exponentially, just when we had the control. And if that happens the Saudis have indicated they will do it too. And now we're off to an arms race in the most volatile part of the world."

7. House Democrats on stage

8. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. David Price, (D) North Carolina

"By unilaterally pulling out of this agreement, President Trump has strengthened the hardliners in Iran. He has damaged U.S. credibility and increased Iran's credibility. He's done far more to allow Iran's potential pursuit of a nuclear weapon than to prevent it. And he's done more to isolate the United States than to isolate Iran."

9. House Democrats on stage

10. House Speaker Paul Ryan walking to podium

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, House Speaker

"He is preparing for a summit with the leader of North Korea to focus on denuclearization, so I think we all should give the president some leeway in preparing for this summit. By the way, it was a good faith gesture. When Mike went over there, I don't think we were sure we were going to get these prisoners in the first place. So I think we should clearly give the president some leeway for preparing for this summit."

12. Ryan at microphone

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, House Speaker

"This is the lowest unemployment rate since the year 2000. Jobless claims have been hovering around a 48 year low. The unemployment rate for minorities are at or near record lows. Small business optimism is at a record high. Business investment is up 24 percent over last year. Wages are higher. There is good news everywhere you look."

13. Ryan walks off stage, exits room

U.S. President Donald Trump is paying tribute to former First Lady Barbara Bush.

The president made the remarks at the start of a news conference at his Mar-a-Largo estate in Florida with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The issue of upcoming talks with North Korea dominated early the comments made by Trump to reporters.

Trump is also pledging to help free Japanese citizens abducted and held captive by North Korea.

Trump said Wednesday during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he's pushing to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries and remove barriers to U.S. exports.

In his remarks, Abe said there should be "no reward" given to North Korea just because the reclusive country is responding to dialogue over its development of nuclear weapons.

Abe said that "maximum pressure should be maintained."

Abe and Trump are wrapping up two days of meetings at the president's Mar-a-Lago estate.

POOL

Palm Beach, Florida - 18 April 2018

1. Side, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walk toward microphones

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I want to begin today by expressing my deep condolences to the entire Bush family on the passing of former first lady Barbara Bush, a wonderful, wonderful person. For decades Barbara was a titan in American life. Her presence and character were engraved into America's identity. Her strength and toughness really embodied the spirit of our country and her warmth and devotion earned the admiration of an entire nation and indeed the entire world. She was a tireless champion for literacy. She was a fierce advocate for the American family. And she was a woman of proud patriotism and profound faith. Our hearts are saddened by her passing but our spirits are lifted by the memories of her goodness and her grace. She was a good person. Melania and I send our prayers to Barbara's husband of seventy three years. I'll never beat that record, President George H.W. Bush. To the surviving children Jeb and Neil and Marvin Dorothee and former President George W. Bush and to their many wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren."

3. Cutaway news conference

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As you know I will be meeting with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Hopefully that meeting will be a great success and we're looking forward to it. It would be a tremendous thing for North Korea and a tremendous thing for the world. So, we will be doing everything possible to make it a worldwide success, not just for the United States or South Korea or North Korea or Japan but for the entire world."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Shinzo you have worked very hard along with us and all of our people and we thank you very much. And we're with you and you are a lot closer than we are but we're working on this together. Thank you very much."

6. Mid, Trump and Abe shake hands

7. Wide, news conference

8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan:

"A year or so has passed since then, (the first Abe-Trump meeting) the situation surrounding North Korea due to the decisive decision by President Trump on the first ever US-North Korea summit is at a historical turning point. The past mistakes should never be repeated. On this point, President Trump and I were in full agreement. On the occasion of the 1994 framework agreement or the 2005 6-party talks agreement, North Korea committed to abandon nuclear weapons development but those promises were broken. And the effort of the international community to engage in dialogue were all entirely exploited to buy time to develop nuclear weapons and missiles. "

9. Side, news conference

10. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan:

"Just because North Korea is responding to dialogue, there should be no reward. Maximum pressure should be maintained and actual implementation of concrete actions towards denuclearizations will be demanded."

11. Mid, news conference

12. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan:

"We also agree to continue our effort towards the early resolution of the top priority matter of abduction. Just now, President Trump on this spot, here, has mentioned the return of abductees. Maximum effort will be made with a clear promise, just made here. We are deeply encouraged, Donald."

13. Cutaway reporters

After talks at Chequers with UK's Prime Minister Theresa May, the US president said the relationship between the US and UK is "indispensable".

Trump said he discussed with the British leader a range of priorities including stopping nuclear proliferation.

He thanked the Prime Minister for her partnership in the "pursuit of a nuclear free North Korea."

On Iran, he said "We both agree that Iran must never poses a nuclear weapon."

Trump said they both "recognise the vital importance of border security and immigration control."

"In order to prevent the foreign acts of terrorism within our shores we must prevent terrorists and their supporters from gaining admission in the first place," Trump said.

Trump also thanked May for her "very gracious hospitality."

The leaders held a news conference following meetings on Friday at Chequers, May's official country estate.

UK POOL

Chequers, Buckinghamshire - 13 July 2018

1. US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May at lecterns

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Thank you. Prime Minister thank you very much. And it is my true honour to join you at this remarkable setting - truly magnificent - as we celebrate the special relationship between our two countries on behalf of the American people I want to thank you for your very gracious hospitality. Thank you very much, Theresa. Last night Melania and I were delighted to join you and Philip for dinner at the magnificent Blenheim Palace. It was a wonderful and memorable evening that we will not soon forget. It was really something very special. Today it's a true privilege to visit historic Chequers that I've heard so much about and read so much about growing up in history class and to continue our conversation which has really proceeded along rapidly and well over the last few days. For generations our predecessors have gathered at this stunning retreat to strengthen a bond that is like no other. The relationship between our two nations is indispensable to the cause of liberty, justice and peace."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"The traditions of freedom sovereignty and the true rule of law were our shared gift to the world. They are now our priceless inheritance to a civilization. We must never cease to be united in their defence and in their renewal."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"It was from right here at Chequers that Prime Minister Churchill phoned President Roosevelt after Pearl Harbour in that horrific war American and British service members bravely shed their blood alongside one another in defence of home and in defence of freedom. And together we achieved a really special magnificent victory. And it was total victory."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"The Prime Minister and I discussed a range of shared priorities including stopping nuclear proliferation. I thanked Prime Minister May for her partnership in our pursuit of a nuclear free North Korea. It has been a tremendous help. The Prime Minister and I also discussed Iran. We both agree that Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon and that I must halt, and we was, to it. I'm going to do it and she's going to do it and we're all going to do it together. We have to stop terrorism. It is a scourge. We have to stop terrorism and we have to get certain countries and they've come a long way, I believe. The funding of terrorism has to stop and it has to stop now."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"The United Kingdom and the United States are also strengthening cooperation between our armed forces who served together on battlefields all around the world. Today the Prime Minister and I viewed several US-UK Special Forces demonstration. We saw some demonstrations today frankly that were incredible - the talent of these young, brave, strong, people."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President

"We also recognise the vital importance of border security and immigration control in order to prevent foreign acts of terrorism within our shores. We must prevent terrorists and their supporters from gaining admission in the first place. Border security is a national security problem and in the United States we are working very hard to get the Democrats to give us a couple of votes so we can pass meaningful and powerful border security. "

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++