U.S. Iran envoy Brian Hook stepping down as key U.N. arms embargo vote looms

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook speaks during a joint news conference with Bahrain Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (not pictured), in Manama, Bahrain June 29, 2020. REUTERS/Hamad l Mohammed/

(Reuters) - Top U.S. envoy for Iran Brian Hook is leaving his post and Elliott Abrams, the U.S. special representative for Venezuela, will add Iran to his role "following a transition period" with Hook, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday.

Hook's surprise departure comes at a critical time when Washington has been intensely lobbying at the United Nations to extend an arms embargo on Iran and as the U.N. Security Council prepares to hold a vote on the U.S. resolution next week.