BREAKING: State Department Holds Press Briefing After Death Of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh In Iran
State Department Principal Vedant Patel held a press briefing on Wednesday after the death of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Does Nick have cooties or something?
00:08I don't have anything off the top.
00:09Daphne, do you want to kick us off?
00:11Yeah.
00:12So on the taxing of Beirut and Tehran, are you concerned that this complicates the ceasefire
00:17talks?
00:18So first, to take a little bit of a step back, we have, of course, seen the news and the
00:23statement from Hamas, but I don't have anything additional to offer on that, and I don't want
00:28to speculate at this time about this incident or possible reactions.
00:32We, of course, continue to be in touch with governments in the region.
00:35You all have seen calls from the Secretary, readouts of calls that he's had with regional
00:39partners.
00:40Our priority continues to be to promote diplomatic solutions for a more peaceful, secure, and
00:46integrated region, and that, of course, includes continuing to engage and work very hard to
00:52close the remaining gaps as it relates to a ceasefire in Gaza.
00:56Getting this deal done, bringing the hostages home, getting an influx of humanitarian aid,
01:01ending the violence in Gaza, it remains incredibly important, and I'm not going to speculate
01:06on any potential impacts.
01:08It continues to be a priority for the United States.
01:12We know it's a priority for regional partners.
01:14We know it's a priority for Israel, and so we'll continue to work at it.
01:20I mean, both Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in the talks, suggested that
01:25the killing of the Hamas leader in Tehran could further jeopardize efforts to secure
01:29a truce in Gaza.
01:30Do you share that concern?
01:31So as I just said, I'm just not going to speculate on any impacts here.
01:34How can you move the talks forward at this point, given everything that's gone on in
01:38the past 24 hours?
01:39We spoke a little bit about this yesterday, Daphne.
01:41I'm not going to speak to the specific inner workings of the ongoing negotiation process
01:46and the effort that is continuing to be done underway to close these gaps and to get this
01:54deal done.
01:55It's something that we're going to remain focused on, but I'm not going to get into
01:59more specifics beyond that.
02:00And then we reported that the U.S. was seeking to deter Israel from striking Beirut in retaliation
02:05for the attack over the weekend.
02:07Do you feel Israel has ignored your warnings, and what conversations have you had with Israel
02:11today?
02:12So just to reiterate what you heard the Secretary say in an interview in Singapore, we were
02:19not involved in this mission or operation, and certainly I'm not going to get into specific
02:25private diplomatic discussions.
02:28What I can say is that our priority region-wide continues to be promoting diplomatic solutions
02:34for a more peaceful and secure region.
02:36That's what we're going to continue to remain focused on.
02:39Those have been at the core tenets of the conversations that the Secretary has had in
02:43the past half a day in the region, continuing to talk to counterparts about ways we can
02:50continue to push and make a ceasefire happen, and that's what we'll keep focused on.
02:54Has he spoken with or will he speak with Israelis?
02:57I don't have any calls to preview at this time.
02:59Daphne, as you guys have saw, he had the opportunity to speak to his counterparts in Qatar as well
03:06as Jordan, and per usual, any other call readouts that we have, we'll make sure to
03:12share those with you.
03:13Olivia, go ahead.
03:14Thank you, Zia.
03:15We understand that the Israelis provided a heads-up ahead of the Beirut strike.
03:20Was a heads-up provided to the United States ahead of the targeting of Hania?
03:24So what I can just say, Olivia, is that this is not something that we were involved in
03:27and I'm not going to get into more specific diplomatic conversations beyond that.
03:31Okay.
03:32And I know that you're not speculating about the fallout from here, but does the U.S.
03:36view this as a step as conducive to finalizing a ceasefire deal?
03:40Again, I think that's asking me to speculate on something in another way.
03:44I'm just not going to speculate on this.
03:46We are clear-eyed and focused on what the United States priorities are and what we would
03:51like to see happen, and that is a continued focus on the diplomacy.
03:55Our team is continuing to work very hard to narrow and close the gaps.
04:00We continue to believe a deal is possible.
04:03Getting a deal done is of vital importance for so many reasons that I've spent much
04:07of this week talking about, whether it be bringing hostages home, whether it's getting
04:11an influx of humanitarian aid, being able to partake in diplomacy to get this cycle
04:17– this region out of endless cycles of violence.
04:19So for all those reasons and more, this is incredibly important and we'll remain focused
04:23on that.
04:24So without looking ahead, looking backwards, how essential had Hania been in these discussions?
04:28I mean, we know that ultimately Yassin Nour was signing off on decisions that Hamas was
04:33making, but how essential was Hania in the discussions to this point?
04:38So I'm not going to get into the specifics of that kind of – of those kinds of negotiations
04:45in terms of the pertinent actors and interlocutors.
04:49What I can say is through appropriate channels, we have been able to continue to communicate
04:56with Hamas and Israel, of course, as it relates to the contours of the deal and the negotiations
05:02that's on the table, and we continue to have confidence in our ability to do so and
05:06our ability to participate in these talks and work around the clock to get this deal
05:11done.
05:12So the Qataris have not signaled that they are no longer going to take part in these
05:15talks?
05:16I'm certainly not going to speak for another government.
05:19I've said that a couple times this week, but – so from the United States perspective,
05:24we continue to remain laser-focused on this.
05:28Qatar has been an irreplaceable partner throughout this whole conflict, dating back to even October
05:347th and beyond, and that continues to be the case.
05:37Can I –
05:38Okay.
05:39One more.
05:40Sorry.
05:41The supreme leader of Iran put out a tweet essentially saying it is our duty to take
05:43revenge.
05:44What does the United States know about possible retaliatory steps taken by Iran or its proxies?
05:49So I'm just not going to speculate on what the supreme leader may or may not be referring
05:54to and don't want to speculate on the actions that the Iranian regime may or may not take.
05:59We are continuing to urge restraint to all parties to avoid an escalation into a wider
06:04regional conflict.
06:06And as the Secretary said in Singapore, the United States was not involved in the attack
06:12in Tehran, but the United States, of course, will take every possible measure to appropriately
06:19and accurately protect our personnel, our interests in the region and beyond should
06:26we need to.
06:27What about those of the Israelis?
06:28Is there a commitment to come to Israel's defense or to Iran?
06:30So you've heard me say this a number of times this week, our commitment to Israel's
06:35security and defending them from malign attacks like those from reckless regimes like the
06:42Iranian regime, that is unwavering and ironclad, and that continues to be the case.
06:48Israel is, of course, a country that faces a number of threats purely based on just where
06:53they are in the world.
06:55And so that – our security relationship with them is unwavering, our commitment to
06:59them is unwavering.
07:00But again, I'm not going to speculate on any actions that may or may not happen.
07:05I have one more on Russia.
07:06We'll come back.
07:07Yeah.
07:08Go ahead.
07:09Sorry.
07:10Just to follow up on Olivia's question.
07:11Yeah.
07:13Now, you said – to understand clearly, you're saying that if Iran responds, the
07:21U.S. will be there to defend Israel, correct?
07:25What I am saying is that our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad, and of course,
07:28part of that includes the defense of Israel in – as it – when it faces threats from
07:34malign actors like the Iranian regime.
07:37That is – should be no surprise to you, Said.
07:40So you often speak of the rights of every nation to defend itself.
07:45Do you acknowledge that this was an Israeli aggression against Iran?
07:48I don't have any information for you, Said, on this incident or possible reactions and
07:53certainly don't have anything to offer as it relates to attribution and would let the
07:59Israelis speak to any operation of theirs that they may be undertaking.
08:04I don't have a perspective to offer from –
08:05Okay.
08:06Well, I mean, I think that the whole world acknowledges that this was an Israeli aggression
08:10on the capital of Iran.
08:11But suppose, when you devolve the proper information to say that Israel was behind this aggression
08:18on the Iranian capital, it is within Iran's right to defend itself.
08:22I'm not going to speculate on this, Said.
08:26I don't have an update or an assessment to offer for you as it relates to attribution.
08:30Okay.
08:31And so I will just leave it at that.
08:33Okay.
08:34In principle, as a sovereign nation, does Iran have the right to defend itself?
08:37Said, it's a simple question.
08:40Does Iran, as a sovereign nation, as any other nation, does it have the right to defend itself?
08:45Iran is a regime that, time and time again since 1979, has won in the largest and greatest
08:53exporter of terrorism, not just in the Middle East but broadly, and it has a clear track
08:59record of not just suppressing its own people but also funding, promoting, encouraging malign,
09:07destabilizing actions across the region.
09:10Okay.
09:11And our opinion and point of view on the Iranian regime is quite clear, and we will not hesitate
09:16to not just stand with our allies and partners when it comes to defending against threats
09:21from Iran but also taking appropriate action from the United States as it stands.
09:27So you're saying that the nature of the Iranian regime strips it of the right to defend itself
09:32and to defend its sovereignty.
09:33Said, I just don't have any assessment to offer on this.
09:36Okay.
09:37I don't have any assessment to offer on this incident.
09:38I don't have any assessment on attribution or anything like that.
09:39Okay.
09:40Let me ask you something.
09:41You talked about the deal that is underway, the negotiations.
09:42Now, is there any doubt that the Israeli prime minister has taken almost every step
09:43to scuttle the negotiations over the past few months?
09:44Do you have any doubt in your mind that he has taken those steps?
09:45I'm not going to speak for Prime Minister Netanyahu, Said, and I will let him speak
09:46for himself.
09:47Okay.
09:48But in general, what I can say is that we have seen the Israelis engaged and constructive
10:12in conversations that we have been having about a ceasefire deal, and so we continue
10:17to believe both that a ceasefire deal is both achievable and urgent, and it is something
10:22that our partners in Israel want.
10:24I'm not going to speak to the specificity of the ongoing process beyond that.
10:29Okay.
10:30But Mr. Haniyeh was the chief negotiator.
10:32He was the chief negotiator involved in these negotiations.
10:35So when Israel first kills his grandchildren, then kills all his children, then kills him,
10:41does that send, like, a clear message that they don't want these negotiations?
10:45He is the chief negotiator, correct?
10:46Said, I will say again, as I've said to Daphne and others, I'm not going to speculate on
10:50this as it relates to how it may or may not impact a ceasefire deal.
10:57What I can say is that the United States unequivocally is focused on continuing its work to close
11:04the gaps.
11:05We think that getting a deal done is not just in the United States' interest, it's in the
11:09region's interest, it's in Israel's interest, it's in the interest of the Palestinian people.
11:13We are talking about creating the conditions so the remaining hostages can return home,
11:19that there can be an influx of humanitarian aid, and getting this region out of this endless
11:24cycle of violence.
11:25So that's what we're going to remain focused on.
11:27Okay.
11:28And as I said to Olivia and others, when it comes to continuing to engage in these conversations,
11:35there continue to be ways in which we can continue to engage with Hamas and Israel appropriately
11:41as it relates to the contours of the deal.
11:42And that work, I have no doubt, will continue.
11:45Okay.
11:46Let me ask you a basic question.
11:48As far as the negotiations are concerned, is the killing of Mr. Haniyeh good, bad, or
11:53indifferent in your view?
11:54I am not going to speculate, again, for what is probably now the 15th time, I am not going
11:59to speculate on –
12:00I'm just saying, how is it likely to impact –
12:02Again, I am just not going to speculate on that.
12:04What I can speak to is what the United States is doing and what the United States is focused
12:08on.
12:09What the United States is doing and what we are focused on is working to close the gaps.
12:12We continue to believe a deal is achievable, we think it's urgent, and we continue to
12:17work at this around the clock.
12:19I'm going to move on, Said.
12:20Okay.
12:21My last.
12:22I promise.
12:23I promise that it's my last.
12:24My last.
12:25My last.
12:26Yeah.
12:27Okay.
12:28Do you feel that killing Haniyeh complicates the negotiations further?
12:30Said, you literally just asked me a version of that question.
12:32I'm just asking you a question.
12:33Willie, go ahead.
12:34Is it likely an event that –
12:35Go ahead, Willie.
12:36I'm going to ask a very similar question to you.
12:37Go ahead, Willie.
12:38It's fine.
12:39I know that, in your eyes, has shown a willingness or that it is a priority to get a deal done.
12:45But I mean, certainly eliminating the person that you're trying to get a deal done with
12:50suggests that it's not a priority.
12:53So look, Willie, I don't have an assessment to offer as it relates to attribution, and
12:56I'm certainly not going to speak for the Israelis or any other government or entity
13:00as it relates to this.
13:02What I can say is that the United States is squarely focused on is getting a deal done.
13:07It is the message that the Secretary is carrying and the conversations that he's having with
13:12world leaders and counterparts, some of which that we just talked about.
13:15And that's what we are focused on.
13:17We continue to believe a deal is achievable and urgent, and we're going to have our
13:21team continue to work tirelessly to close those gaps.
13:24Just shifting – in the wake of the Haniyeh killing, is there any posturing or concern
13:32of embassies in the region or elsewhere right now, security guys?
13:35So look, take this situation – put the situation aside for a second, Willie.
13:41We take the safety of all our personnel, not just State Department personnel, but any personnel,
13:47American personnel, incredibly seriously.
13:49We take the safety of our embassies and our facilities and our installations incredibly
13:54seriously.
13:55And constantly, around the clock, we are always assessing circumstances on the ground.
13:59We are assessing what risk levels are, what threat levels are, and appropriately, we will
14:06make adjustments on those as we need to.
14:09We certainly aren't going to read out that operational process from here.
14:12That would kind of be counterproductive.
14:14But what I can say is that this is not just tantamount of importance to the Secretary
14:17of State.
14:18I know it is also of importance to not just the President, but the Secretary of Defense
14:21and other executives across this interagency who may or may not have personnel abroad.
14:28So this is something that we are paying very close attention to.
14:30QUESTIONER 2
14:32Yeah, go ahead, Daphne.
14:33QUESTIONER 2
14:34You said that you've seen Israel engage in constructive conversations about a ceasefire
14:36deal.
14:37Is it still your assessment today that they're engaging constructively?
14:39MR RATHKE That is still our assessment.
14:41I'm not going to speak to specific negotiation processes, but that continues to be our assessment.
14:47Go ahead.
14:48QUESTIONER 3
14:49So saying nothing about the eventual outcome of the talks or progress towards a ceasefire
14:53hostage release deal, can you say if given the response from key mediators, from Hamas,
14:59will the assassination lead to at least a pause in the talks?
15:02MR RATHKE So that is not our understanding at the moment,
15:08but beyond that I'm not going to speculate on the impacts here, to say for also probably
15:13the 15th time.
15:15Our focus is on working to close this gap, the gaps that exist, and continuing to work
15:22to get this deal done.
15:24When we say that this is of vital importance to the region, that is not hyperbole.
15:29We legitimately think that to be true, not just in the context of Israel and Gaza, but
15:35also when we are talking about destability across the region, we think that a ceasefire
15:40deal has the potential to be beneficial in addressing that situation writ large as well.
15:47QUESTIONER 3
15:48Has there been any direct or indirect conversations between the U.S. and Iran following the assassination?
15:52MR RATHKE I'm not aware of any diplomatic conversations.
15:55Yeah.
15:56Go ahead, Alex.
15:57Actually, before I come to you, does anybody else have any – go ahead, Ravi.
16:01I know, Alec, I'm sure you have a wide geography to cover, so I just want to close out this
16:07region of the world before we come to you.
16:09Yeah.
16:10QUESTIONER 3
16:11On the assassination of Haniyeh and implication on the Gaza ceasefire talks, actually, one
16:17of the mediators, Qatar's foreign minister, Antony, today said – I mean, asked a question,
16:23which is that how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator?
16:31On the other side, what is your response to this?
16:34MR RATHKE So look, again, I'm not a spokesperson for
16:37the Qatari foreign ministry.
16:38I will let the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs speak to his own comments.
16:45What I can say is that the Secretary and the prime minister had a constructive call earlier
16:51today where the Secretary reiterated, again, the need for getting a ceasefire – for getting
16:57a ceasefire done.
16:58The Secretary reiterated the United States commitment to continuing to work to close
17:03these gaps and to get a deal across the finish line for all the reasons that I talked about.
17:08QUESTIONER 3
17:09One more, please, on the Middle East.
17:10Do you have any comment on two Al Jazeera journalists, Ismail and Rami, who were killed
17:16in an Israeli airstrike today in northern Gaza?
17:21This raises to the number of journalists and media personnel killed in Gaza to 165.
17:27What is your reaction to that?
17:28MR RATHKE So we've seen those reports and are tracking
17:30the details.
17:31We also have asked our counterparts in the region for additional information, should
17:38they have it.
17:39Look, as the Secretary himself has said, we offer our deep condolences to the many Palestinian
17:45journalists in Gaza killed or injured during this war and for all that they have suffered.
17:50As I said, we are continuing to engage with the Government of Israel and the IDF on the
17:54importance of protecting journalists and all civilians during the conflict.
17:59We believe that journalists have been integral to shedding a light on the dire, dire circumstances
18:06in the Gaza Strip right now.
18:09And we have been absolutely clear that Israel has a moral obligation and a strategic imperative
18:13to protect civilians, and of course, part of that includes journalists.
18:18But I don't have any more as it relates to the specific –
18:20QUESTION Just a quick follow-up.
18:21You said you asked Israel for more information.
18:24There have been many incidents over the past nine months that you asked Israel to provide
18:30more information.
18:31Can you give us one example of how Israel gets extra information?
18:32MR RATHKE I'm not going to get into the – I'm not
18:35going to get into – I'm not going to get into specific diplomatic conversations.
18:40There have been a number of instances in which we have asked our partners in Israel for additional
18:44information in which they have provided it, they have shed light on the nature of those
18:50operations and how they were conducted.
18:53We will continue to engage with those conversations privately with our partners in Israel and
18:57publicly when needed.
18:58Prem, go ahead.
18:59QUESTION I will have a non-medicalist question later
19:00if I'm not mistaken.
19:01MR RATHKE I'm sure you will.
19:02Prem, go ahead.
19:03QUESTION I think the journalist can be that.
19:04MR RATHKE Said.
19:05Said.
19:06Said.
19:07Said.
19:08Said.
19:09Said.
19:10Said.
19:11Said.
19:12I understand that you are very passionate about this issue.
19:14It is not helpful for you to interrupt your colleagues.
19:15QUESTION Okay.
19:16I'm sorry, but I'm saying – I'm just making a point that this particular journalist
19:17was actually arrested and tortured by the Israelis.
19:18MR RATHKE I understand.
19:19I understand.
19:20I appreciate your flag, but you interrupting your colleagues is not productive to the daily
19:21press briefing process.
19:22Prem, go ahead.
19:23QUESTION Thank you, Matt.
19:24So perhaps this is a good follow-up here.
19:25It's been 184 days now since Israeli forces killed Hamid Rajab, her family, and medics
19:26sent to save her.
19:27Last month, when myself and other colleagues asked about the investigation into this, the
19:28department said Israel – Israel said that they're still investigating and that Israel
19:29is still investigating.
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21:25And they're still investigating.
21:27So look, any foreign entity is aware of U.S. laws and the confines in which they should
21:37or should not be allowed to operate in the United States.
21:39When it comes to disinformation and things targeted at the United States, I will say
21:45that that is not necessarily something that lives in this department.
21:49And I'm happy – I'm sure my colleagues at the Department of Justice and the Department
21:53of Homeland Security would be happy to talk to you about efforts that are underway as
21:56it relates to election integrity and things like that, including the Office of the ODNI.
22:02Are there any other nations who receive billions of dollars from the United States that are
22:06alleged to conduct such foreign influence campaigns?
22:08So I'm just not going to speculate on what was a non-government assessment report cited
22:14in that reporting.
22:15But I'm happy – I am sure that these other entities who deal on this very important issue
22:19would be happy to speak to you in greater detail.
22:21Go ahead.
22:22So I know you said that you wouldn't comment on the impact of Hania, but the U.S.
22:26Government had a $5 million reward on the head of Fouad Shukr.
22:29I was just wondering if you had any comment on his killing and –
22:33So first, we spoke a little bit about this earlier in the week.
22:40We've seen some conflicting reports on whether Fouad Shukr survived the strike.
22:45But the latest information out of Beirut suggests that he did succumb to his injuries after
22:52being taken to a hospital for treatment.
22:54Let's also remember that this was an individual who was involved in the 1983 U.S. Marine barracks
23:00bombing and certainly has American blood on his hands.
23:04And as it relates to our Rewards for Justice program, I just don't have any additional
23:08information.
23:09Confidentiality is a key aspect of the way in which the Department's Rewards for Justice
23:13program operates.
23:14And as a rule, we don't publicly disclose specific information submitted into responses
23:21as it relates to things like this.
23:23But I think an important thing to note, again, is that the U.S. was not involved in the planning
23:29of the attack, and this was an action taken by the IDF based on Israeli intelligence.
23:35Let's – Diyar, go ahead.
23:37QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR Thank you, Ben.
23:39You just said that the U.S. is not involved in this act, but the Iranian Government sent
23:44a letter to the United Nations Security Council, and they clearly says that the U.S. has the
23:50responsibility for that act, which they say that this act could not have occurred without
23:54the authorization and intelligence support of the United States.
23:57What's your comment on this?
23:58MR RATHKE So again, I just don't have any assessment
24:00to offer for you as it relates to attribution.
24:03And our message to any country, to any entity, whether it be the Iranian regime or otherwise,
24:09is the call for de-escalation and to not take any actions that would lead the region into
24:15wider conflict.
24:16And that has been our message since October 7th, and that continues to be the case.
24:20QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR And then yesterday, the U.S.-led Global Coalition
24:24attacked PMF, the Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.
24:27So – and then the Iraqi Government condemned this, and they said that despite all the efforts
24:31through political and diplomatic channels, and that the U.S.-led Global Coalition, they
24:35attacked the PMF and they want to drag Iraq into the wider conflict in the region.
24:40So why did you conduct this attack, and what's your comments on the Iraqi Government reaction?
24:45MR RATHKE Let's be a little bit clear about what
24:46this is, is that U.S. forces carried out a defensive airstrike in Iraq on July 30th.
24:51These actions were taken to address an eminent threat posed to U.S. and coalition forces.
24:58And we have a commitment to the safety and security of our personnel, and we won't
25:02hesitate to defend our people or hold responsible those who may potentially harm U.S. personnel.
25:07And it's as simple as that.
25:08Go ahead, in the back.
25:09QUESTION From the floor.
25:10MR RATHKE Sure.
25:11Always the same Middle East issues.
25:12I want to bring you back to Al Jazeera, please.
25:15Al Jazeera, the network now assures you, confirms that it was a targeted killing.
25:21The crew of reporters were reporting by the house of Hania, and they've been struck
25:26by that missile.
25:28What would you have to say?
25:29We know you're talking to the Israelis, but what are you specifically asking them?
25:32You have 22 Arab countries who need an answer.
25:34MR RATHKE So I don't have any updates as it relates
25:38to this particular circumstance.
25:39As I said to your colleague, we are aware of these reports and we have communicated
25:44with our partners in Israel for more additional information, but I don't have anything to
25:48share beyond that at the moment.
25:51Okay.
25:52Alex, go ahead.
25:53Yes, I'd –
25:54QUESTION On Georgia.
25:55MR RATHKE Uh-huh.
25:56QUESTION A statement the Secretary put out today.
25:57MR RATHKE Yeah.
25:58QUESTION He was referring to the comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship.
25:59MR RATHKE Yep.
26:00QUESTION And he said that today's action is a result
26:01of that review.
26:03Does that mean that you guys have concluded the review?
26:09Have you landed the conclusion?
26:11And if that's – if so, should we view today's action as an isolated action, or
26:15is it part of a little of – part of this little step you are taking?
26:19MR RATHKE Let me widen the aperture a little bit, Alex,
26:22because I'm not sure others in your – others in the room may be tracking.
26:26So earlier this morning, the Secretary announced that the United States will pause $95 million
26:33in assistance that would have benefited the Government of Georgia.
26:36The U.S. is taking this step due to the Georgian Government's recent anti-democratic actions
26:43and false statements that are incompatible with membership norms both in the European
26:48Union and NATO.
26:49Let's remember that nearly 80 percent of the Georgian people support EU membership,
26:55but the Georgian Government, through its own actions, including this spreading of disinformation
26:59about its allies and partners, is moving the country further from European aspirations
27:04of its citizens.
27:05We'll continue to urge the Georgian Government to return to the path of democracy and Euro-Atlantic
27:11integration by repealing the foreign influence law, withdrawing other problematic legislation,
27:17ending its disinformation campaign, and committing to conduct the elections and pre-election
27:22season transparently and allowing international and domestic monitors.
27:26These actions would be consistent with receiving support from the United States as a democratic
27:32partner.
27:33Though our bilateral ties are at a uniquely challenging moment, the United States commitment
27:39to the Georgian people and their aspirations is absolutely enduring.
27:44We will continue to support programs and activities that benefit the people of Georgia by strengthening
27:49democracy, rule of law, independent media, and economic development.
27:55As you – this review, Alex, that you asked about at the beginning, that review is ongoing,
28:00and we, of course, stand at the ready to take any additional and appropriate action should
28:05we need to.
28:06QUESTION.
28:07On the line that the Secretary is drawing to make a distinction between the funding
28:08that was supposed to go to the Georgian Government, although I'm surprised that they are – they
28:09hadn't accessed even everything they had done, and the funding that you – available,
28:10is still available for Georgian people.
28:11Is that a reflection of the Georgian Government – when you announced the sanctions previously,
28:25they were pushing propaganda saying that – because of ambiguity behind the sanction – saying
28:29that you were targeting the Georgian people.
28:31Is that a reflection of your message that you are not – this is distinctly about Georgian
28:36– the new government?
28:37Back to Alex.
28:38MR RATHKE.
28:39Alex, this – the assistance programs that benefit the Georgian Dream Government will
28:45be paused while we continue to assess the broader bilateral relationship.
28:50In some cases, assistance programs may be modified to redirect resources to non-government
28:56entities working within a particular sector.
28:58QUESTION.
29:00You also probably have seen the Helsinki commission leader's letter to the Secretary from July
29:0226 in which they are asking for sanctions against Ivan Shilov and his inner circle.
29:08Is any –
29:09MR RATHKE.
29:10I certainly would not preview any actions from up here, Alex.
29:11QUESTION.
29:12I have one on Ukraine, if I may.
29:13MR RATHKE.
29:14Okay.
29:15QUESTION.
29:16Are you in a position to confirm the reports that Ukraine has received F-60s?
29:17MR RATHKE.
29:18I don't have any assessment to offer on that, Alex.
29:20I'd let my colleagues at the Pentagon to speak to that.
29:23QUESTION.
29:24They can find it on Hungary, if I may.
29:25MR RATHKE.
29:26Oh.
29:27QUESTION.
29:28Their leadership, they have been – we have seen some little actions coming from Hungary,
29:29but the latest actions they have taken to allow Russian and Belarusian citizens without
29:34any screening to enter the European territory.
29:36Is it a concern on your end that Ukraine – Hungary might become a part of hybrid warfare against
29:43the West?
29:44MR RATHKE.
29:45So look, Alex, I think it's important to remember two things here.
29:47First, when it comes to the context – when it comes to the conflict in Ukraine and the
29:53very serious issues that we have with the Russian Government, our issue and our problem
29:59and the conduct that we are seeing in Ukraine, it is not a reflection of the Russian people.
30:05It is a reflection of the Russian Government.
30:08And the same could be said about Belarus.
30:11So I will let Hungary speak to any border or migration action that they might be taking
30:19as it relates to their own border.
30:20But the United States, I can say unequivocally, is not at odds with the people of Belarus
30:28or the people of Russia.
30:30Our issue is with the actions of those governments, and specifically with Russia, the barbaric,
30:38aggressive, illegal, and inconsistent with international law aggression that we are seeing
30:44as they infringe on Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty.
30:48That's what this is about.
30:49It is not about – we certainly don't want to see adverse impact to the Russian
30:56people or the Belarusian people.
30:58And beyond that, Hungary continues to be a NATO ally of ours, and they continue to play
31:03a crucial role in the alliance.
31:06Go ahead.
31:07QUESTIONER 1 Thank you.
31:08MR RATHKE Well, can I – she had a – had something
31:10on Russia, so I'm just going to – I will come back to you.
31:11Go ahead.
31:12QUESTIONER 1 I just wanted to ask you about public reports
31:13of political prisoners in Russia being moved around, some locations unknown.
31:20Vladimir Kara-Murza, I understand his location is unknown.
31:23Does the U.S. have any information about whether these movements are happening or why they're
31:28happening?
31:29MR RATHKE I don't want to speculate on any reasoning.
31:30What I can say is that the United States continues to be focused on working around the clock
31:35to work to get our wrongfully detained American citizens home, and that continues to be the
31:40case.
31:41But I have no updates beyond that.
31:42Thanks.
31:43QUESTIONER 1 Does the U.S. know where its detainees are?
31:44MR RATHKE So we continue to be in touch appropriately
31:47with Russian authorities in the case of Russia about consular access and specific location,
31:54but I don't have any updates for you.
31:55QUESTIONER 1 Thank you.
31:56MR RATHKE Go ahead.
31:57QUESTIONER 2 Yes.
31:58Saki from Voice of America.
31:59So it's been two weeks since two American journalists, Evan Gershkovich and also Kurmysheva,
32:06have been convicted.
32:07And does State Department know where they're currently being held?
32:11And Kurmysheva also asked for a consular access.
32:14Has she been granted a consular access after her conviction?
32:17MR RATHKE So I – Olivia just asked a version of that
32:21question, so I will point to what I just said 60 seconds ago.
32:25Go ahead.
32:26Yeah.
32:27QUESTIONER 3 Thank you.
32:28Just to quickly clarify what's been said on the ceasefire
32:29vote.
32:30So you are confident that, as we speak, a deal is still possible, even if the leader
32:31of – political leader of Hamas is dead?
32:32MR RATHKE We continue to believe a deal is achievable
32:38and urgent, and we are continuing to work and are committed to work to narrow those
32:43gaps and to make a deal possible.
32:45We think it's vital and vitally interest to the region.
32:47QUESTIONER 3 And is it even if the – even if Haniyeh
32:49is dead, who's been representing Hamas response and interest to that deal?
32:52MR RATHKE So I'm just not going to speculate – one,
32:55I'm not going to speculate on any impacts here.
32:57Two, I'm not going to get into the negotiation process or when it comes to relevant actors
33:03or things like that.
33:04What I can say is that we have the ability to appropriately and successfully engage with
33:10both Hamas and Israel and continue to keep this process and keep the conversation ongoing,
33:15and we'll – we fully intend to do that.
33:18QUESTIONER 3 Thank you.
33:19MR RATHKE Jackson.
33:20Go ahead.
33:21QUESTIONER 4 Thanks for the honor.
33:22With Hamas has below vowing retaliation, what's the U.S. position on how Israel should respond?
33:29Prime Minister Netanyahu just said that Israel, quote, will exact a heavy price for any aggression
33:34against us on any front, end quote.
33:36MR RATHKE Are you – what are you referring to specifically,
33:39Jackson?
33:40QUESTIONER 4 What I'm referring to is retaliation for
33:42Haniyeh's death, for Hamas, and then Hezbollah, Shigir's death.
33:49MR RATHKE So what I can say, Jackson, and I will reiterate
33:52what I've said at the beginning, is that our priority region-wide is to promote diplomatic
33:56solutions for a more peaceful, secure, and integrated region, and that continues to be
34:01the case.
34:02QUESTIONER 4 And then reportedly IRGC Aerospace Forces
34:05Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh has been killed near Damascus.
34:10Can you confirm that?
34:11MR RATHKE I don't have any updates for you on that.
34:14Goyal, go ahead.
34:15QUESTIONER 4 Thank you.
34:16QUESTIONER 5 Thank you, sir.
34:17Two questions, please.
34:18One, as far as Iran-supporting terrorists is concerned, who is supporting Iran?
34:25Is it Russia, China, or North Korea, or any other country supporting Iran?
34:30And second, sir, does Iran support this deal between Israel and Hamas?
34:35MR RATHKE I can't imagine that the Iranian regime supports
34:39a ceasefire deal, given that they are the sowers of much of the instability that we
34:46see in the region, but of course, I don't want to speak for the Iranian regime.
34:52And one, there is a clear track record of the closeness of relations between Russia
34:58and the Iranian regime.
35:00We've seen that play out in a number of ways over the past two years specifically,
35:06including in the context of Ukraine.
35:08We've seen the provision of UAVs and other security articles.
35:14And so certainly, that is a relationship that's deeply concerning and one that we'll be
35:18paying close attention to.
35:20QUESTION Second, sir, just a diplomatic question.
35:22Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris was supported and endorsed by President Biden
35:29and there have been name callings against her for her ethnicity, color, and where she
35:36come from, and all those things, is Secretary hearing anything diplomatically from around
35:41the globe those secretaries or foreign ministers about – because being a first woman now
35:47maybe, and also because of her look and among others?
35:51MR RATHKE So I, for a variety of reasons, many of which
35:55you've heard us talk about before, I'm certainly not going to get into electioneering
35:58or campaigns from up here.
36:01But I will point you back to what Secretary Blinken said about the Vice President last
36:06week when he was asked a question about one of your colleagues.
36:09She is somebody who, on the foreign policy stage, has spoken forcefully on behalf of
36:16the United States when she meets with world leaders, when she engages with them.
36:20The Secretary has been able to be part of some of those engagements.
36:25World leaders and counterparts know that she not only speaks for the President, but she
36:28speaks for the United States.
36:30QUESTION Why I said, sir, quickly – I'm sorry to
36:32interrupt you – because my community is very much disturbed because my community – she
36:37comes from background from India, and my community is also worried about because there are some
36:42attacks against my community here in the region or around the U.S.
36:46MR RATHKE Let's just be – let's certainly be unequivocal.
36:49Any kind of derogatory remarks that are rooted in someone's appearance or ethnicity or
36:54background, not only are they uncalled for, they really have no place in our American
37:01democracy discourse.
37:02But again, I am not going to get into politics or campaigning from here and would just echo
37:07what the Secretary has said just last week about being able to work with the Vice President
37:12for the past three and a half years on the world stage, engaging foreign leaders with
37:16her and what she's been able to bring to the table when it comes to the foreign policy
37:21accomplishments of this Administration.
37:22QUESTION Thank you very much, sir.
37:23MR RATHKE Nick, you had your hand up.
37:24QUESTION Speaking of Venezuela?
37:25MR RATHKE Sure.
37:26Go ahead.
37:27QUESTION The Colombian President is now calling on
37:28Maduro to release detailed vote counts.
37:29Do you believe that that kind of increased pressure is going to result in anything substantive,
37:30or do you think there's anything more the U.S. can do to release that pressure?
37:31MR RATHKE So look, over – since Monday, you have
37:42continued to see more and more countries echo the same call from the United States
37:46that we would like to see a public publishment of the tabulation data.
37:55The international community, the United States included, is running out of patience on waiting
38:00for Venezuelan electoral authorities to come clean and release a full, detailed data on
38:06this election so that everyone can see the results.
38:10A number of independent observers earlier have released a report and stated that Venezuela's
38:172024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot
38:24be considered democratic.
38:26So my understanding is that the OAS is going to hold a meeting later today to address some
38:32of this.
38:33I'm not going to get ahead of that meeting, but I will just reiterate what I have said
38:38almost on a consistent basis this week, is that the international community is running
38:43out of patience.
38:44We are waiting, and there is a clear action that the Venezuelan Electoral Commission can
38:49take, and that is a full, detailed publish – publication of this election data.
38:55Doc, go ahead.
38:56QUESTIONER 2 Thank you, Doc.
38:57This is on Lithuania and elsewhere worldwide on anti-Semitism issues, but what is the Biden
39:04administration's response to the Lithuania government's plan to desecrate the Jewish
39:09cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania?
39:11Just received an email from the Lithuanian ambassador to the U.S. saying that it plans
39:16to build a museum over the graves of Jewish people there.
39:20It's in violation of Jewish law and viewed as an act of anti-Semitism.
39:23And a follow-up.
39:24MR RATHKE So I'm not tracking or aware of that incident
39:28specifically, so I'm – I honestly would refer you to Lithuanian authorities on that.
39:33QUESTIONER 2 Okay.
39:34On another issue, is – worldwide, how is the Biden administration holding other countries
39:40as well as U.S. citizens accountable for anti-Semitic behavior?
39:43MR RATHKE Throughout the course of this administration
39:46– and again, I think this is something that my colleagues at the White House can speak
39:49a great deal about – we have not been hesitant to call out anti-Semitism or anti-Semitic
40:00insults or activities when we have seen it.
40:03Certainly it has no place in the discourse of our country.
40:08We've spoken about this a number of times, including as recently when we have seen as
40:13part of some of the protests around the country very clear and vile anti-Semitic language
40:18as part of some of the signage and public material that some of these protesters have
40:24used.
40:25So not only would we condemn that, that has no place in our society.
40:30Go ahead.
40:31QUESTIONER 3 Along with that, I was going to just follow
40:32up the issue where you just talked about holding the college campuses responsible, the universities
40:37responsible for anti-Semitism.
40:40Can the Biden administration do anything to hold universities accountable on this matter
40:46and not let them get away with it?
40:47MR RATHKE So I appreciate your question, but respectfully,
40:50this is not really a foreign policy issue, and I am sure that my colleagues at the Department
40:55of Education at the White House would be happy to speak to you about this at a greater deal.
41:00What I can say unequivocally is that any kind of language that is derogatory, that is rooted
41:05in anti-Semitism, that is rooted in Islamophobia, that is targeting of individuals purely just
41:11because of their background certainly has no place in our society.
41:15Rabia, go ahead.
41:16Yeah.
41:17QUESTION On Turkish-Armenian normalization talks, yesterday Turkish-Armenian special
41:23representatives met at their long-closed border for the fifth round of talks to normalize
41:30their relations.
41:31Do you have any comment on that, both on the meeting and the normalization between Germany
41:35and Turkey?
41:36MR RATHKE I don't.
41:37I would leave it to the two respective countries to speak to that.
41:39Go ahead.
41:40QUESTION Thank you, Ben.
41:41Just to make sure that I have understood, you said a moment ago that the U.S. forces
41:46were not behind the attack on popular mobilization forces in Iraq, and that was carried out yesterday.
41:57What do you have for the comments from Iraqi Government leaders that condemn any attack
42:02on Iraq?
42:03MR RATHKE So what I said to DR in response to his question was that the U.S. forces carried
42:08out a defensive airstrike in Iraq on July 30th.
42:12These actions were taken to address imminent threats posed to U.S. and coalition forces,
42:18and we have a commitment to the safety and security of our personnel, and we will not
42:21hesitate to defend our people or hold responsible all who harm our U.S. personnel.
42:27All right.
42:28Thanks, everybody.