It’s counterintuitive. When Pompeo was a member of Congress, he was one of the sharpest critics of the Iran nuclear deal. Last summer at the Aspen Security Dialogue, Pompeo made the case that Iran was not fully complying with the agreement’s terms. And for that, Pompeo has been blasted by the progressive organizations that helped push for Obama’s nuclear bargain back in 2015.

This is all the more reason senators should have been reassured last week when Pompeo said his preference was to fix the nuclear deal instead of blowing it up. Indeed, he came out in favor of the U.S.-European talks underway now to strengthen the nuclear deal by removing its sunset provisions, addressing Iran’s missile program and strengthening inspection protocols for suspected military sites.

Trump will have to decide by May 12 whether to reimpose the crippling sanctions Obama imposed to pressure Iran to begin negotiations. That date has become a deadline for the U.S.-European diplomacy that Pompeo would lead if confirmed as secretary of state.