US:
'Violence against Syria’s Druze is unacceptable'
The US slams attacks on Syria’s Druze community, urging interim authorities to halt violence, punish perpetrators, and protect minorities.
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US State Department
News and updates about US State Department
US sanctions ships linked to fueling Houthi terrorism in Yemen
The US Treasury and State Departments announce sanctions against vessels supplying Houthis with fuel.
Paraguay labels full Hezbollah, Hamas and IRGC as terrorists
Paraguay broadens its terror designations to include the full political and military wings of Hezbollah and Hamas, and adds Iran’s IRGC. The move draws praise from Israel and the US.
Bacteria and toxins:
Serious report on North Korea's lethal weapons
New US State Department report reveals additional data on North Korea's biological weapons program, despite international law.
US official:
'Hezbollah has to be disarmed'
US envoy Morgan Ortagus emphasizes that Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon must be disarmed urgently, stating disarmament should happen "as soon as possible" to ensure national security.
Watch:
Melania Trump gives Amit Soussana Women of Courage Award
First Lady Melania Trump awards former Israeli hostage Amit Soussana the International Women of Courage award for her bravery in being the first hostage to speak of the sexual assault she survived while being held captive.
State Department:
Trump committed to long-term resolution to Israel-Hamas conflict
State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce says Hamas is to blame for the deaths of Gazans in surprise Israeli strikes, notes Witkoff’s original bridge proposal remains an option should Hamas choose to accept it.
US State Department:
Up to $15 mil. for info on Houthi, Hezbollah money network
The US is offering rewards for information on Houthi financiers, their associates, or their financial networks and Hezbollah cash smuggling by airport employees, customs officers, or aviation officials, or related illicit activities or individuals.
State Department:
'Egyptian Gaza plan falls short of Trump’s expectations'
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce comments on the Egyptian-led initiative for Gaza: It does not fulfill the requirements, the nature, of what President Trump was asking for.
Report:
State Dept. to use AI to crack down on Hamas-supporting students
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio launching an AI-driven “Catch and Revoke” program to cancel the visas of foreign nationals who express support for Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations.
Barak Ravid:
US unfreezes $95 million in aid for Lebanese army
'This is an important move as it signals an effort by the Trump administration to strengthen Lebanon’s military and its newly formed government,' US officials say.
State Department:
Witkoff to head to Middle East amid ceasefire deadlock
State Department spokesperson says that Trump’s Middle East envoy plans to return to the region in the coming days to work out a way to continue the ceasefire and hostage release deal.
US imposes sanctions on Iran's petroleum trade
State Department announces the imposition of sanctions on eight entities engaged in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical trade as part of Trump's maximum pressure campaign on Iran.
State Department:
Rubio's Israel visit to center on Phase II of hostage deal
US State Department issues official statement about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Middle East from February 15-18, which will include a stop in Israel.
Speechwriter fired for nationalist ties appointed to State Dep't
Darren Beattie, speechwriter fired over white nationalist ties, appointed to high-level State Department role by Secretary Marco Rubio.
State Department:
'It is critical that the ceasefire implementation continues'
State Department welcomes release of IDF soldiers Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev and Naama Levy, stresses importance of the implementation of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
Live:
Secretary Rubio's Department of State Welcome Ceremony
Newly-confirmed Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio delivers remarks to employees upon arrival at the Department of State.
At end of Biden's term
US plans $8 billion sale of arms to Israel
State Department informs Congress about $8 billion arms deal with Israel, which includes missiles, artillery shells, and other munitions.
Despite human rights concerns:
US approves sale of military equipment to Egypt
State Department notifies Congress it approved the sale of $4.69 billion worth of equipment to Egypt.
US disagrees with HRW’s genocide accusations against Israel
State Department spokesperson says US disagrees with Human Rights Watch's claims that Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip amounted to "acts of genocide".
Blinken meets Marco Rubio, Trump's nominee for Secretary of State
State Department says the meeting between Blinken and Rubio was good, constructive, and substantive: We continue to stand ready to help support a seamless transition.
Palestinian Arabs sue US over support for Israel
Palestinian Arabs from Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and the US are suing the US State Department accusing the US of circumventing human rights laws to fund Israeli security forces.
US 'disagrees' with Amnesty report accusing Israel of genocide
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel says the US does not agree with Amnesty International's accusation of genocide against Israel, but says the organization has a vital role to play.
State Department:
'We've made progress on ceasefire, but we're not there yet'
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon is close but not yet finalized: Nothing is final until everything is final. We continue to work to try and get an agreement over the line.
State Department spokesman:
'UNSC resolution didn't link hostage release to a ceasefire'
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller explains that the US chose to veto resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza because it failed to link between a ceasefire and a hostage release.
US rejects UN report accusing Israel of genocide
State Department spokesperson points out factual errors in anti-Israel UN report, also rejects Human Rights Watch report claiming evacuations of civilians from war zones in Gaza are crimes against humanity.
State Department spokesman:
'We have not given up hope on a hostage release deal'
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel tells reporters that the Biden administration continues to pursue efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal, despite Qatar suspending its involvement as a mediator.
US sends mixed signals on end of 1-month aid ultimatum
State Department spokesperson says Israel has partially fulfilled the demands laid out in an ultimatum letter 1 month ago, but the US has not determined Israel to be in violation of the law that would cause the US to cut off military aid.
Blinken to continue to try resolving Gaza and Lebanon conflicts
State Department spokesperson says Secretary of State intends to continue working toward resolving the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts before Trump takes office in January.
State Department:
'Israel not improving aid to Gaza enough after Blinken letter'
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticizes Israel's actions in the conflict with the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist organizations and accuses Israel of failing to provide enough aid to Gaza.
US won't seek second term on UN Human Rights Council
Former President Trump withdrew the US from the UNHRC in 2018, citing its longstanding anti-Israel bias, but the Biden Administration reversed Trump’s decision.
After Nasrallah elimination:
State Department updates travel advisory to Lebanon
US reiterates calls for Americans to leave Lebanon, directs family members of non-mission personnel to depart and grants permission for family members of mission employees and non-essential staff to leave as well.
US offers reward for arrest of Bolton assassination planner
State Department announces $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Iranian mastermind behind a plot to assassinate former White House official John Bolton.
US sanctions networks over trade benefitting Hezbollah
State Department announces sanctions on one individual and four entities over facilitation of trade to Syria and East Asia in support of Hezbollah and the Quds Force of the IRGC.
US official:
'A ground invasion of Lebanon will not reduce tensions'
Senior State Department official says US does not support rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, will discuss "concrete ideas" with allies and partners to prevent the war from expanding.
State Department to US citizens:
'Leave Lebanon while options are still available'
State Department updates travel advisory to Lebanon, cites ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
State Department:
'If Hezbollah stopped attacking, we'd press Israel to stop'
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says as long as the Hezbollah attacks on Israel since October 7 continue, Israel should be expected 'to launch military action to defend itself as any country would.'
State Department:
'US was not involved in pager explosions in Lebanon'
State Department spokesperson says the US was not aware in advance and had no involvement in mass explosions of pagers used by Hezbollah, declines to comment on suspicion that Israel is responsible.
State Department:
'We're actively working on updated ceasefire proposal'
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tells reporters that the United States continues to collaborate with mediators from Egypt and Qatar to draft a revised ceasefire proposal for the conflict in Gaza.
Blinken to visit Egypt to continue talks on hostage release
State Department announces that Blinken will travel to Egypt on Wednesday and meet local officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages.
US urges citizens:
'Do not travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah'
US State Department warns citizens against traveling to Uman, Ukraine, for the annual Rosh Hashanah celebration at the burial place of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.
'Reckless statements and actions'
US condemns Ben Gvir's comments on Temple Mount
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tells Axios the US "strongly opposes" Ben Gvir’s public support for building a synagogue on the Temple Mount: It would demonstrate blatant disregard for the historic status quo.
US sanctions companies tied to Houthis and Hezbollah
The US State Department will sanction an individual and six companies involved in illicit revenue generation to support the Houthis as well as a company tied to a Hezbollah official.
Israel must not allow Hamas to survive the Gaza War
The world, from the least free nations (China) to the freest nations (the U.S.), seems committed to saving Hamas. Jerusalem must resist these efforts. Opinion.
State Department confirms:
US to resume sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia
The ban was imposed in 2021 amid concerns about the toll of the Saudi-led war against the Houthis in Yemen.
Four Days Later:
US has not yet fixed incorrect sanctions
The State Department has admited the sanctions targeted the wrong Israeli but have yet to publish a correction.
US announces new sanctions on settlers, protest leaders
State Department announces a wave of sanctions against allegedly extremist Israelis and organizations in Judea and Samaria and the leaders of Tzav 9, the organization that leads protests against aid to Gaza while the hostages are held there.
Can Israel afford NOT to defy State Department pressure?
There are many examples of ill-advised State Department pressure on Israel in the past. US pressure during this war is just as bad. Opinion.
At request of the US:
Brazil deports Hamas member to Qatar
Brazil deports Palestinian Arab man and his family after Brazilian federal police alerted by the United States that a "Hamas operative" was traveling to the country.
'Hinder vital aid':
State Department condemns Houthi attacks on ships
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemns latest attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea.
State Department spokesman:
'Our fundamental assessment of the war hasn't changed'
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says Netanyahu’s dissolution of the War Cabinet does not change the Biden administration’s “fundamental assessment” of the war in Gaza.
US rejects Houthi claims on detained 'American spies'
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller rejects claims by Houthi rebels that detained local US mission staff in Yemen are part of an “American-Israeli spy network”.
US announces $400 million in new aid to Palestinians
State Department said it is earmarking $404 million in "lifesaving humanitarian aid to support Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and the region."
Lebanon:
US embassy attacker wore ISIS insignia
State Department says that the shooter accused of opening fire on the US Embassy in Lebanon was wearing what "appeared to be an ISIS insignia".
State Department spokesman:
'It's time for Hamas to accept the proposal'
US continues pressure on Hamas to accept three-point deal unveiled by Biden: The only thing standing in between the people of Gaza and an immediate ceasefire is Hamas.
The perils of reducing abstruse legalese to abject pandering
In the State Department’s unclassified version of the NSM-20 Report it almost seemed like the material published was contrived as part of a vile political smear job for mainstream media consumption and to pander to certain constituencies, although its bottom line was to continue arms shipments to Israel. Op-ed.
Biden administration:
'Israel may have used US weapons illegally in Gaza'
New State Department report says it is “reasonable to assess” that US weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that are “inconsistent” with international humanitarian law.
US State Department:
'An operation in Rafah would weaken Israel's stance in the world'
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller explained Biden's threats to stop arms shipments: 'There are certain types of military assistance that we will not make available to Israel for use in Rafah.'
State Department:
'We have very serious concerns about a Rafah operation'
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller tells reporters the administration continues to have concerns about a potential Israeli operation in Rafah.
GOP lawmakers:
Robert Malley had classified docs in private email account, phone
Senator James Risch and Rep. Michael McCaul demand answers from State Department after finding allegations 'hostile actor' accessed classified documents mishandle by former Biden Iran envoy.
