President Donald Trump has revoked the security protections for his former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and his top aide, Brian Hook, amidst ongoing threats from Iran, according to multiple reports including Newsweek and AP News. This action follows Trump’s decision to terminate security clearance for his former national security adviser, John Bolton, who has also faced severe threats due to his hawkish stance on Iran.

The security details for Pompeo and Hook were removed on Wednesday, taking effect the same day. These measures were previously provided by the Biden administration, citing credible risks associated with their roles in shaping U.S. policies towards Iran, particularly their involvement in the operation that led to the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020, as noted by CBS News.

During a press conference, Trump defended his decisions, asserting, “When you have protection, you can’t have it for the rest of your life,” as documented by The Hill. Critics, however, have deemed this move as irresponsible, especially given that both Pompeo and Bolton have been targets of Iranian assassination plots, as highlighted by reports from CNN.

Security for both former officials reportedly cost U.S. taxpayers over $2 million per month which had been seen as necessary due to the ongoing threats from Iran, a reality confirmed by ongoing intelligence briefings from the Biden administration to Trump's team, per information provided in an Al Jazeera article.

Both Pompeo and Hook implemented stringent policies aimed at applying maximum pressure on Iran, efforts which some analysts believe may be contributors to Trump's recent decisions viewed as punitive for perceived disloyalty. While Bolton's public criticisms of Trump post-termination may have influenced his security revocation, Pompeo's more cordial relationship with the former president stands in stark contrast, underscoring the complexities in the realm of political alliances. In light of these events, political observers are left questioning the implications for U.S.-Iran relations moving forward.

This situation remains fluid, and it's crucial to monitor the developments surrounding these ongoing tensions and the security status of former officials implicated in controversial foreign policy decisions.