Tillerson Accuses Iran of Alarming Provocations, Says Deal Doesn't Meet Objectives

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday accused Iran of "alarming ongoing provocations" to destabilize countries in the Middle East and of undermining U.S. interests in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

"An unchecked Iran has the potential to travel the same path as North Korea and to take the world along with it," Tillerson told reporters a day after announcing a review of U.S. policy toward Iran, including sanctions against Tehran.

"A comprehensive Iran policy requires we address all of the threats posed by Iran and it is clear there are many," he added.

Tillerson said the Iran nuclear deal fails to achieve its stated objective of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear state.

But Tillerson is leaving open the possibility that the Trump administration will uphold it anyway. He says that will be determined by an ongoing review.

Tillerson spoke after the State Department certified to Congress that Iran is currently in compliance with its obligations under the 2015 deal. He said the Trump administration has no intention of "passing the buck" on Iran to a future administration.

Tillerson is also likening Iran's behavior to that of North Korea. He says an unchecked Iran could pursue the same path as Pyongyang "and take the world along with it."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.