'Shut your stupid mouth': White House unloads on Mike Pompeo over Iran criticism

WASHINGTON, DC: A simmering divide inside President Donald Trump's political orbit burst into public view on Saturday, May 23, after White House Communications Director Steven Cheung launched a blistering attack on former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over his criticism of the administration’s developing Iran deal.

The unusually personal clash erupted after Pompeo accused the Trump administration of pursuing an agreement that resembled the Obama-era Iran strategy Republicans spent years condemning.

Cheung responded with a profanity-laced rebuke that signaled growing frustration inside the White House as conservatives questioned the direction of ongoing negotiations with Tehran.

White House fires back at Mike Pompeo over Iran remarks

Pompeo ignited the dispute with a sharply worded post criticizing reports surrounding a possible agreement aimed at ending the Iran conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

"The deal being floated with Iran seems straight out of the Wendy Sherman-Robert Malley-Ben Rhodes playbook," Pompeo wrote, referencing former Obama administration officials involved in earlier nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

“Pay the IRGC to build a WMD program and terrorize the world,” he added. Pompeo argued the reported framework contradicted Trump’s long-promoted “America First” foreign policy doctrine.

“Not remotely America First,” he wrote. The former secretary of state also pushed for a far more aggressive approach toward Iran, arguing the United States should continue applying maximum pressure.

“It’s straightforward: Open the damned Strait. Deny Iran access to money. Take out enough Iranian capability so it cannot threaten our allies in the region,” Pompeo posted. “Overdue. Let’s go.”

The comments drew an immediate and explosive reaction from Cheung.

“Mike Pompeo has no idea what the hell he’s talking about,” the White House official wrote.

“He should shut his stupid mouth and leave the real work to the professionals,” Cheung added. “He’s not read into anything that’s happening, so how would he know.”

Trump administration faces pressure over Iran deal

The public clash highlighted growing unease among conservatives over reports that the administration could agree to a temporary ceasefire arrangement with Iran before securing immediate nuclear concessions.

Although official details remain limited, reports suggest the framework under discussion could include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing pressure on Iranian ports in exchange for a pause in hostilities.

The proposal reportedly would not immediately dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, a point that has alarmed several Republican lawmakers and foreign policy hardliners.

Senior officials and President Trump himself have clearly stated that their stance on nuclear ambitions of Iran remains unchanged and non-negotiable.

On Sunday, Trump said the US is not rushing into an Iran deal and will not repeat past nuclear agreements.

He stressed the blockade remains until a verified deal is signed, insisted Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons and suggested Tehran could potentially join the Abraham Accords.