AP - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has begun a Mideast visit to talk to regional leaders about ramping up pressure on Iran.

The trip comes amid confusion over conflicting Trump administration statements about a planned U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria.

Pompeo�s first stop on Tuesday is pro-Western Jordan, followed by visits to Egypt and Gulf nations.

He told reporters he plans to talk to allies about �modalities by which we may continue to apply pressure� on Iran, branded by Washington a sponsor of terrorism.

Pompeo will likely face questions about last month�s surprise announcement that U.S. troops would soon leave northeastern Syria, where they help battle remnants of the Islamic State group.

He didn�t give a timeline. Asked about confusion among allies, he said: �I�ve actually spoken to them all.