- 4 days ago
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce holds a press briefing.
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00:00Thank you ma'am. Hi everyone. Hi. Welcome back. I appreciate you being here. Thank you.
00:21Everyone's set. We're good. Great. Welcome aboard everyone. Thank you again for being here for generations. The Middle East has been dealing with the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism with the attack on Israel on October 7th by Hamas reminding us of what's at stake due to the wisdom of the American people.
00:49President Trump's election to a second term has offered the world a chance to see an American leader committed to solving many of the world's existential threats with determination.
01:00Now as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues, President Trump has also been clear that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
01:08Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also stated that fact as he has traveled the world working to implement President Trump's vision of peace and security.
01:19That statement has also been uttered from this podium many times. The fact that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon is clear. As the White House reminds us, since taking office, President Trump has clearly stated no fewer than a dozen times that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon for anyone who's unclear on that fact.
01:40President Trump has made the same pledge no fewer than 40 times before taking office, even as far back as 2011.
01:50One of the highest priorities of the Trump administration is the safety and security of the American people.
01:55To that end, the Department of State has established the Middle East Task Force to help coordinate support for U.S. citizens, our U.S. diplomatic missions, and personnel and diplomatic engagement.
02:08The task force is operating 24 hours a day.
02:12Over the past week, to help keep U.S. citizens informed, we have issued more than 30 security alerts to countries in the region and updated the travel advisories for Iraq and Israel.
02:23We remind U.S. citizens not to travel to Israel or Iraq and not to travel to Iran under any circumstances.
02:33We continue to monitor the complex and rapidly evolving situation on the ground as we continue to assess and address the needs of U.S. citizens.
02:42We urge all U.S. citizens to regularly visit travel.state.gov for the latest travel advisories and security updates and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, also known as STEP, to receive timely alerts and guidance from the State Department.
03:00For Americans needing assistance, and there we have a bit of the website there for you, call plus 1-202-501-4444.
03:13That number again is plus 1-202-501-4444.
03:21If you're on that website, you can also click on that red box.
03:25It will take you to a page where you can search for the embassy of your interest, where you are, where you would like to connect to be able to get help from the embassy in the country where you are.
03:38And, of course, the number's there as well for your closest U.S. embassy.
03:46I also want to add a couple other things here as we're dealing with this.
03:51It is certainly a rapidly evolving dynamic, but to conclude the topper here today, I want to recognize the State Department and other U.S. government teams around the world working under threat on behalf of the American people, particularly those in Israel and Ukraine, who spent another night sheltering in bunkers as they came under attack.
04:16Our priority is the safety of Americans overseas and here at home.
04:21It is the priority of Secretary Marco Rubio.
04:24It is the priority of everyone who works in this building and the thousands of American citizens who work anonymously and whom you will never see,
04:34who are working in embassies and consulates around the world and working with those local nations to be there for American citizens and to help facilitate American diplomacy.
04:44Our priority is the safety of Americans, yes, here at home, but also overseas.
04:51We thank all of those working on behalf of the American people, all of you watching from home and from around the world.
04:59We thank you and for everyone around the nation.
05:03We know and honor your work as we begin another briefing here, ready to take your questions.
05:11All right. Yes, sir.
05:12Yes. Hi, thanks. Thanks for that.
05:15Could you give us some more details on this task force, how it's going to work and specifically if it's going to help Americans potentially leave the region,
05:25be repatriated depending on the countries that they're in and any more details you can give on that?
05:31Right. Well, I won't be giving you just as a reminder of how today is a little bit of a different day for the briefing.
05:39There is always things that I can't say to you, and yet we have a long back and forth.
05:45Sometimes we have a little bit of a debate.
05:47I won't engage in that today.
05:49My responses will be perhaps a bit quicker than usual, and I'll be moving around more quickly to reach as many of you as I can.
05:58And there will be less that I can answer for you because of the circumstances that we're dealing with around the world.
06:06So I just want you to know it's not personal, but we're working on certain things like the task force as an example.
06:14The task force is a group of people who are working, taking the calls of people of American citizens around the world,
06:20making sure that they get connected with what they may need in that region.
06:24I won't go into the details of all that the task forces do, of course, but it's about information,
06:31making sure people here at the State Department and people that we get the information we need,
06:35but also people around the world, American citizens, get directed to the information that they may need as well.
06:41So I'll leave it at that.
06:43But this is something that the State Department does when there's a situation that requires it, and this is one of those times.
06:49Tammy, I'm sorry.
06:51Sure, Matt. Sure. Of course.
06:53The phone number that you get, if you call that number, which I can do right now, what do you, who do you get?
06:59You get an individual who is a task force or?
07:02No, you don't get the task force.
07:03That phone number is a general phone number.
07:06The task force is busy, but it is a separate unit that is established to take the calls to assist American citizens who call to the embassies.
07:17Particularly, you're going to be referred to embassies who can help you get what it is you need.
07:21Good question. Thank you, sir.
07:23All right. Yes, Andrea.
07:24Just a quick question.
07:25There's some specific consular needs.
07:29One in particular that I'm aware of, and there may be more than one, is an American citizen in Iran,
07:37where there is no embassy, no consulate.
07:39Would that be the Swiss protectorate?
07:42Would there be other options?
07:44Is consular affairs give any advice as to what to do about Americans right now stuck in...
07:51I can't speak to any advice or information regarding individuals in Iran at this point.
07:56And what about American Israelis or Israeli Americans either wanting to come out or wanting to get back home?
08:06LL, I believe, has resumed flights in some small measure for people who...
08:11Some people have kids in Israel, and they were visiting the states, and they're American citizens.
08:19Is there anything that they can do?
08:20Should they call this number?
08:22Well, obviously, if you know...
08:24And we encourage every American, when you travel, is to contact your local embassy or consulate.
08:31Let them know you're there.
08:32Make sure you know where they are.
08:34Have those numbers.
08:35And that's what I would recommend, no matter where you're traveling, but certainly in the Middle East,
08:39is know where those entities are.
08:42Know where the embassy is.
08:43So if you're in Israel, obviously, it's Tel Aviv or it's Jerusalem.
08:47Are they open?
08:48Well, they will answer their phone.
08:51So there's contacts that can happen in the midst of all of this.
08:56And, of course, I think that that's the advice for wherever you are.
09:01But clearly, if you're in a certain area, it's obvious in this case that there are certain limitations in that region.
09:07And that contact the embassy, the one that is nearest to you, and you will, at the very least, make sure they know where you are.
09:14But also, they will give you some options for the plans that you would like to make.
09:19Yes, Humira.
09:21Tammy, I understand your limitations, but I have to ask this.
09:25I know you do.
09:25It's your job, and I appreciate that.
09:27I'm here to take questions, not necessarily always answer them.
09:30Yes, ma'am.
09:30Last night, President Trump said he wants a real end, not a ceasefire.
09:34So does the United States support or pursue regime change in Iran?
09:38Or are we just talking about dismantling Iran's nuclear enrichment?
09:42And would that include the United States helping Israel strike forward?
09:47Well, I'm certainly not going to characterize what President Trump says or tweets, for that matter.
09:52He doesn't need characterizing.
09:54He's one of the most transparent, one of the most clear individuals that we've known.
09:59I think that we can take his word for his word.
10:04But I'm not going to speculate on, in a larger sense, what that would mean.
10:09That is up to the president.
10:11He is the singular guiding hand about what will be occurring from this point forward, as he has been.
10:18And I think that that dynamic is pretty clear.
10:21He says he wants an end.
10:23As he has said about every conflict that he has, as a peacemaker, worked to stop peacefully through diplomacy, that has been his commitment.
10:33And he wants these things, as he said, about a number of situations, not for a month or six months, but durable ends to this nature of forever wars.
10:45And that has been his posture, and that's his posture now.
10:48Okay, I have an easier follow-up.
10:50Yes, ma'am.
10:51How many people—
10:52I'll take a hard one, too.
10:53How many people so far have contacted U.S. missions in Israel or elsewhere, American citizens, seeking help to depart the country that they're in, in the Middle East?
11:06Yes, I won't discuss those details or the numbers involved with the embassies.
11:09Are you guys planning to facilitate charter plans to get people out or military evacuation?
11:14I will not discuss what our plans are in that regard.
11:16Yes, ma'am.
11:17Just to follow up on that really quickly.
11:19Sure.
11:19Are you guys considering at all operations that would help Americans who want to leave the region from evacuating?
11:27I know that our commitment is to the safety and security of Americans around the world.
11:32All right?
11:33Yes, sir.
11:34Yes, sir.
11:35Go ahead.
11:36Tamu, would the U.S. government like to see regime change in Iran?
11:40First of all, I'm certainly not going to remotely address that.
11:43It would require me to speculate or speak on behalf of the president, which I will not do.
11:48What we've seen, though, is clear.
11:51His months and repeated statements that all he wants is a peaceful world, his activity and the activity and the nature of the actions that the United States has taken,
12:03and his special envoys have been rooted in one thing, which is negotiations looking for diplomatic solutions to generational problems that he wants solved diplomatically.
12:14That has been his constant posture.
12:16And there has been nothing that has changed in his – what he wishes for, what he would hope to accomplish.
12:25And so, of course, that's not something I'm going to address.
12:27Is the U.S. government and the Israeli government on the same page when it comes to the intelligence about Iran's nuclear weapons program?
12:34That is a question for the White House and perhaps the NSC.
12:37That's not something I can answer here.
12:38Nadia.
12:39Thank you, Tammy.
12:39The president said he wants to see Iran offers unconditional surrender.
12:44I'm not going to ask you to comment on the president's statement, but I'm going to ask you if the secretary is involved in any kind of diplomatic emissions with his allies,
12:52with the Germans, with the French, trying to offer something to the Iranians as a way out.
12:57Well, I, again, would not speak on the details of any diplomatic conversations, if they occurred, between whom, what those details would be.
13:07We know, of course, the secretary and the president were at the G7.
13:10Their constant work from the moment they came to office has been to, and certainly Secretary Rubio, was to open up conversations and to lead the world through diplomacy to make a difference.
13:23But that's the only thing that would guide me when it comes to the nature of the decisions they're making at this point.
13:28Yes, ma'am.
13:29Without getting into the details of the conversations, is the door to diplomacy with Iran on its nuclear program still open from the U.S. perspective?
13:37That would be a decision made by President Trump.
13:40Have you heard from the Iranians signaling interest in continuing discussions?
13:44That is not something that I can speak to.
13:47Yes, ma'am.
13:48I want to ask the consular piece of this in Israel.
13:50The latest security alert from the embassy there still says that the embassy is not in a place to evacuate or directly assist Americans.
13:58Do you have any timeline on when that might change for the Americans who are stranded in that country?
14:03And just looking at how quickly the security situation has changed there, the travel alert was raised to a level four from a level three for the entirety of the country.
14:13Is that a sign that the State Department was caught on its back foot a little bit by this change because Americans still can't get help?
14:20I can say the answer to that last question is no.
14:25We are working 24-7 to ensure the safety and the security of Americans around the world.
14:33I can say that the Department of State is always planning for contingencies to assist private U.S. citizens' departure from crisis areas.
14:41And we will alert the U.S. citizenry community if there is and when there is additional information to share regarding their options during any crisis, but certainly this one as well.
14:53When it comes to how quickly people can expect a dynamic, the American government, the State Department, our militaries, you've seen all of these assets, all of these departments involved in this dynamic in one fashion or another, are working exclusively for the safety of this nation and the safety of the American people wherever they may be.
15:13Yes, sir.
15:14Thank you, Tommy.
15:15At the top, you said that you're advising U.S. citizens not to travel to Israel or Iraq or Iran under any circumstances.
15:24Do you have any more general guidance for Americans in the Middle East more broadly as a region?
15:29Are there other countries that you're advocating people depart from?
15:33Well, at our website, we have our travel alerts.
15:38We also have moved them on our State Department Twitter, our social media accounts.
15:45Those are for the public to see.
15:48Would there be – what is the specific one for people to look to if they want to look for specific country travel alerts?
15:54Is it travel.state.gov?
15:57So travel.state.gov.
15:59And you will see every travel alert there for you, depending on if you're going to be traveling, and it's not just for the Middle East or if you're in a country right now.
16:08You can get your information there.
16:11Yes, sir.
16:12Two questions.
16:13In your top, you also recognize American diplomats serving in Ukraine and Israel who spent another night in a bunker.
16:20Yes.
16:21One of American citizens happened to be killed by the Russians last night in Ukraine.
16:26Do you have a comment on whether the U.S. government act to protect American citizens in Ukraine?
16:31Yes.
16:32We are aware of last night's attack on Kyiv, which resulted in numerous casualties, including the tragic death of a U.S. citizen.
16:40We condemn those strikes and extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected.
16:47The president in the recent past has made his thoughts clear about striking the civilian areas in that regard.
16:53And just to reiterate again, which is at the thread throughout all of the work that we do, is the department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.
17:04And we can confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine.
17:08And we stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance.
17:12And out of respect to the family during this obviously horrible time, we have no further details to offer in that regard.
17:19And second topic, in light of Israel-Iran tension, some of our colleagues from VOA, Persian services, were called back very reportedly.
17:28How much do the events of the past few days signify the role of VOA and other outlets to counter these narratives from U.S. enemies?
17:39Yes.
17:39I'm not going to go into the details of what we're doing when it comes to communications into that region or into specific countries.
17:46Yes, sir.
17:46Thank you, Tammy.
17:47Two Iran-related topics.
17:48Number one, the administration kind of kept this conflict between Israel and Iran at arm's length over the first few days.
17:55And now, since last night and especially into today, we're hearing the president say, we, we, we, more.
18:00We have control over the skies.
18:02We know where the supreme leader is.
18:04He's kind of taking more ownership of the situation directly.
18:07Is that feeling trickling down to this building as well?
18:10Is there more of an ownership of the situation in the State Department as well?
18:14Well, I, I, again, can't characterize the feelings of the president of the United States.
18:22We know that he is the, our lead.
18:25We know that he is the guiding hand.
18:27We know that he is one of a few who know all the details.
18:31And he is clearly, has a mission and an agenda that has involved diplomacy and changing the world for the better for people.
18:38In the meantime, of course, things change.
18:41Our experiences change.
18:44He's making comments that are a reflection of what he, what matters to him.
18:50And, of course, what matters to the president matters to the State Department and every other department.
18:55I think that it is fair to say that his leadership and his re-election to the second term was because people here in the United States were tired of the status quo.
19:07And what the world has seen is a peacemaker and someone who can make a difference.
19:11And that's what they're looking forward to.
19:12Final question.
19:12Can I get in one more?
19:13One more.
19:14There's no special envoy for Iran.
19:16Several key locations in the Middle East don't have a confirmed ambassador.
19:20We speak often about the day-after situation in Gaza.
19:22What about the day-after situation in Iran?
19:25Is the State Department ready for it?
19:27Well, the State Department and the Trump administration, while you may not see things immediately, just because it's not maybe in the news or you're not present for things that occur, doesn't mean they're not occurring.
19:37I would remind everyone that the State Department, as I've found out, is sort of like the military.
19:43It's 24-7.
19:45It is not something that is a basic 8-to-5 dynamic.
19:49And it's because people are working around the world constantly.
19:53It is literally their mission.
19:55Personally, their work is what they do and are committed to.
19:58So while you may see a certain thing in a static framework, it doesn't mean that we have not worked on that or are not working on that or that things will begin to happen.
20:08So it's just a reminder that it's not about the day-after.
20:13We are working before, during, and after.
20:17It is the anticipation of people with history and an experience when it comes to the history not just of a building and of a department of the United States,
20:28but the history of people working on diplomatic issues throughout the world.
20:32And they work for this department, they are committed to those issues, and that is what makes the State Department so effective,
20:39in addition to the leadership that is afforded by Marco Rubio, as guided by Donald Trump.
20:45Yes, sir, you've been waiting.
20:48The NATO summit is in The Hague next week.
20:50Yes.
20:51President Trump and Secretary Rubio came back early from the G7 summit because of the nature of what's going on in the Middle East.
20:59If this situation is still unfolding next week, should we expect some kind of changes to the delegation, changes to travel?
21:05Should we be anticipating that if the situation is still ongoing?
21:09You know, I can't tell you if anything will change.
21:13I know it has not so far.
21:15But as we have experienced from day to day or even sometimes hour to hour, things do change.
21:21This is a very dynamic event.
21:24We've all had our special situations that we're interested in, and we all want diplomacy to work,
21:30and we've been cheering on summits and ceasefire discussions, et cetera.
21:34But this is something that is moving, as things tend to, very rapidly.
21:39So I would say that anything is possible, but at this point in time, that is still certainly on the books.
21:49But that's going to be obviously to the—that's a presidential trip.
21:54That's going to be up to the White House, and I'm sure we'll be affected by their decision-making based on what they see.
22:00Yes, sir.
22:01Thanks, Tammy.
22:01Two questions, please.
22:02First of all—
22:04Can you tell me, sir—
22:05Alan Fisher from Al Jazeera, English.
22:07Very good.
22:07How do you do?
22:09The U.S. intelligence assessment on March 26th was that Iran was not working towards a nuclear bomb.
22:16What's changed to the U.S. position?
22:18Seems to be that it was very close.
22:20Well, again, I can't speak to intelligence assessments, what may or may not have changed,
22:26or to the fact that it is President Trump and his team who are seeing things that matter when it comes to the decision-making.
22:35And I think that that's what's happened here.
22:37Second question is, if the president in his first term was willing to give the Taliban 18 months to come up with a deal,
22:44why was there only 60 days given to the Iranians to discuss something which is much more complicated?
22:49Again, I'm not going to discuss the details of the decisions made by the president.
22:53Andrea?
22:53I'm just saying that that was Tulsi Gabbard's testimony in open session to the committees.
23:00Well, yes.
23:01And as I've noted, today is not that day.
23:05Next.
23:05Yes?
23:06Yes, sir.
23:08Tie in the white shirt.
23:09Is that you just suggesting that—
23:10Andrea, we're moving on, please.
23:12Let's please be able to manage this.
23:14Sir, in the back there.
23:17Thank you, Tammy.
23:18My question is, the other week we were talking about the negotiations between Iran and the U.S.,
23:24and the president was very optimistic about it.
23:27And now, drastically, everything has changed, and we are talking almost about a full-scale war between Israel and Iran.
23:36How do you name the procedure right now?
23:39Has the negotiations failed, or how can we name it?
23:44My second question will be, the Iranian state TV has been targeted by the Israeli Air Force.
23:51How do you see that?
23:53Do you see a state TV channel as a legitimate target?
23:58Well, you'd have to ask Israel about their decisions when it comes to the choices with what they strike and what they don't.
24:05And on your first question, which now is already—what was your first question?
24:10My first question, after all this, after these escalations, how do you name the process?
24:17I would say that you would look to the president of the United States for how he is characterizing what has occurred.
24:24And he is very open and transparent with that and does it with his many conversations with the media and also on Truth Social.
24:33He is clearly accessible, certainly with his remarks, and he has said a number of things on social media that I think might answer your question.
24:43Yes, Said.
24:45Very quick question on Gaza.
24:47Can I do that?
24:47Of course.
24:48Well, are we continuing still?
24:51I will come to you on Gaza, Said, I promise.
24:55But let's continue with the topic at hand.
24:57So, yes, sir, in the back.
24:58Thank you so much, Tommy.
25:00Two questions.
25:01One question on Iraq, related to Iran.
25:02Iranian-backed groups, Qatai and Hizbollah, threatens the U.S. against interfering in the Israel-Iran conflict, which they say any American conversion in the conflict would prompt the group to target the U.S. interests across the region.
25:16How do you reach to the Iraqi government, and what's your message to these groups?
25:20And the second question, what's the State Department's assessment of diplomacy?
25:24Have you put diplomacy on the side, or do you still believe that diplomacy can work with Iran?
25:29Well, again, I'm not going to comment on the nature of how the White House or the president or the DOD will respond to certain remarks or demands made by someone.
25:40So, you'll have to ask the DOD regarding their reaction in that regard.
25:44I would also, though, I know that the president's truth social, he's made it very clear, even, I think, today.
25:52And I think I've got that right here.
25:54This is, again, one of the things we've learned about President Trump is that when he tweets, when he speaks, the world watches, and it's the most clear framework that we can learn of his approach.
26:08He has – I don't know if I can get to the exact one, but he has made it very clear that – oh, yes, here we go.
26:17He has noted that we don't want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers, or our patience is wearing thin.
26:27Thank you for your attention to this matter.
26:30He is making it clear, I think, here regarding certain choices on the ground that are being made,
26:36and that what we've asked for regularly is – and what he has made clear is that we were not a part of the initiation of this, certainly.
26:44We're not a part of Israel's attacks on Iran that I think was made – stated very clearly by both Secretary Rubio and the president.
26:55And that's important for them, for people to know.
26:58And in this case, of course, the president has made it clear that if Americans are hurt, or in this case, a missile shot at civilians or American soldiers,
27:08that there would be a repercussion.
27:10I think that that would not be surprising.
27:12All right, we'll go back – well, more on – Iran, we'll close with you, sir.
27:18Thank you so much, sir.
27:18Can you tell us about the role of partner countries in mediation efforts with Iran, like Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE?
27:27President Trump recently concluded a successful trip to the Middle East.
27:31What can you tell us about the role of these partner countries?
27:33Well, it's – clearly, he went with a goal in mind.
27:38He makes deals.
27:40He's the best dealmaker in the world.
27:42These partners in the Middle East that we have, they understand clearly our intentions and what our goals are, thankfully, again, to the approach and the style of President Trump.
27:51So, it's – I think that when it comes to, again, the best person who could explain his feelings and thoughts about what's accomplished on any issue is the president himself.
28:02So, I'd refer you back to what he writes and what he is posting on, I think, a very regular basis, which is helpful to people like me, and I think to the world at large as well.
28:12Despite Israel's concerns, President Trump is still trying to negotiate with Iran for a nuclear deal, showing that his priority is peace in the region.
28:26President Trump has once again recently offered to mediate on Kashmir, but the Modi government says that they don't need Trump's help.
28:33Does President Trump need Modi permission to bring peace in South Asia by resolving the Kashmir issue?
28:37Well, yes, you know, this is – every country, as President Trump has stated, has a right to define its own future.
28:45He offers his help, and it's up to whoever he's offering it to, whether or not they'll accept it.
28:52We live in a fascinating, exciting time where we've got a man who can make the difference, and he's generous about making that difference.
29:01He could have chosen to have this term be about anything other than peace and making America great again.
29:07But he's stuck with that.
29:09He's committed to that.
29:10It is part of his overall commitment to the country.
29:14So I would not speak to the nature of another country's decision-making.
29:18That's up to them.
29:19But I think all of us are grateful that we have a president who's willing to help and wants to help.
29:24Now, you have one more on Iran, and then we'll go to Saeed.
29:26Can you confirm a report that the former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmed Dajanjad has been killed in Tehran?
29:33I can't confirm that or report on that or discuss it.
29:37All right.
29:38Saeed.
29:39Very quick question.
29:39Yes, sir.
29:40In the last 48 hours, over the last three days, dozens of Palestinians have been killed at the aid centers and so on.
29:48With everybody focused on Iran, does this situation still garner some interest or attention from this building or from the United States of America?
30:00And are you urging the Israelis to hold off the amount of firepower they're firing at these aid secrets?
30:09Well, we, of course, are always saddened to hear reports about any mass casualty situation or shootings.
30:18I don't know who isn't, no matter what the dynamic.
30:22The IDF has said a particular incident is under review, and that is helpful.
30:29And we'll see what their review comes up with.
30:31And in the meantime, I think it is important also when it comes to the nature of the efforts to get aid and food to the Gazans.
30:41We now know, can report, that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation now is working at four distribution sites and has distributed nearly 26 million meals to date.
30:53So it is, again, a conversation about whether or not the State Department cares.
30:59Every day there's a demonstration.
31:01And when we think about the State Department, it's people.
31:03It's people who've committed their lives to a diplomatic life, to a life of foreign service, to a political life, to try to make the difference for the world.
31:12So we see that manifesting here.
31:14And as we also know with today's events and today's conversations, there is a reason why we need people like President Trump and the American commitment to peace abroad.
31:26All right.
31:26Yes.
31:27OK.
31:27Yeah.
31:28It's been reported over the weekend after the Secretary of State.
31:31I'll tell you, actually, the President.
31:34Yes.
31:34We'd expand the travel ban to 36 other countries.
31:40A lot of them, from what I understand, are in Africa.
31:43There's already 19 countries that are affected by the travel ban to a different extent.
31:48Can you share any details, elements you have on this plan?
31:54I'm going to speak a little bit about it, not into the detail about the decision-making or the process in that regard.
32:02But we are, of course, committed to protecting our nation's citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process, in particular.
32:11As laid out in President Trump's executive order, 14161, protecting the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats, the visa adjudication process has got to ensure that U.S.-bound foreign travelers do not pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States.
32:33That is, I think, a very low bar and is a bar that every nation should be able to adopt.
32:39To protect the national security and national interests of the United States and its people, the Department of State and other U.S. government agencies assess other countries' security capabilities, information sharing, and identity management practices, exploitation of the U.S. visa system, such as overstay rates, and failure to facilitate the repatriation of their removable nationals.
33:05So, noting where a country, perhaps, as you did, is located, the geo-position, the actual location of a country, is not a factor or what continent that country is on.
33:18These are about very specific aspects about whether or not the United States feels it can trust the information we rely on those countries for to determine whether or not they'll get a visa.
33:30We rely on the vetting and the presentation of information from other nations in order to say, yes, you can or you can't come.
33:39In this particular instance, I think that it's clear as we're looking at providing a period of time, countries being told, if they don't mat, they don't get to that point where we can trust them and they've got to change the system, update it, do whatever they need to do to convince us that we can trust the process and the information they have.
33:59So that is the goal of this. The secretary will have the discretion to determine whether or not someone is on that list, as we then also continuously vet the nature of what's happening within these conversations.
34:14And the goal is so that we can all move forward, so that people can come to the country. And that's our goal.
34:19All right. Yes, sir. Yeah. But I don't know why you're so far in the back, Michelle, but I'm sorry with NPR. Yes, yes.
34:26Just just following up on that, there was a deadline given for these 36 countries tomorrow to come up with their action plan.
34:34I wonder if you've heard back.
34:37That's incorrect. I can just tell you that that's not correct.
34:41The fact is, is that they will have a considerable amount of time to rectify whatever the situation is that the State Department has determined is affecting the nature of our trust in how we issue a visa.
34:54All right. Yes. And we'll take. Yes, sir. With the beard there. Yes.
35:00Thank you. Has the United States.
35:03Can you tell me your name, sir, in your outlet?
35:05Mustafa Abdo, Shafak News.
35:06Okay. Welcome aboard.
35:09Has the United States received any official request from Baghdad to help prevent Israeli overflights in Iraqi airspace?
35:18And what is Washington's response to such a request?
35:24Again, you would need to speak to the Department of Defense and the White House regarding that.
35:27I won't speak to the details of conversation, certainly about anything of that matter involving any country.
35:35And I think that will be it for today.
35:37As we return, thank you all for your patience.
35:40And I expect to see you again later in the week.
35:42Thank you very much, everyone.
35:44Thank you. Appreciate it.