“As for Hagia Sophia, we are disappointed with the decision of the Turkish government. I have nothing further to add,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, when asked if Washington intended to impose sanctions on Turkey over the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
It is recalled that the US Secretary of State had called on Turkey “to continue to maintain the Hagia Sophia as a museum, as an exemplar of its commitment to respect the faith traditions and diverse history that contributed to the Republic of Turkey, and to ensure it remains accessible to all,” before the Turkish Council of State’s decision.
However, Ankara had responded to Pompeo that “Hagia Sophia is the property of Turkey.”
Source: ANA-MPA