We are concerned by the violent incidents involving protestors and Turkish security personnel Tuesday evening. Violence is never an appropriate response to free speech, and we support the rights of people everywhere to free expression and peaceful protest.

We are communicating our concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Highlights Iran’s Continuing Human Rights Abuses

The State Department released today its semi-annual report to Congress detailing sanctions imposed on persons involved in human rights abuses in Iran. The report cites recent sanctions against the Tehran Prisons Organization and Sohrab Soleimani, the former head of the Tehran Prisons Organization, as required by the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010, as amended by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Ambassador Stuart Jones gave the following statement on the report:

“As we continue to closely scrutinize Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA and develop a comprehensive Iran policy, we will continue to hold Iran accountable for its human rights abuses with new actions. We urge our partners around the world to join us in calling out individuals and entities who violate international sanctions targeting Iran’s human rights abuses.

“Whether it’s imprisoning people arbitrarily, inflicting physical abuse and torture, or executing juvenile offenders, the Iranian regime has for decades committed egregious human rights violations against its own people and foreign nationals, and this pattern of behavior must come to an end. The U.S. and its partners will continue to apply pressure on Iran to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone in Iran. This includes the U.S. citizens wrongfully detained or missing in Iran, and we call on Iran to immediately return them to their families.

“In addition to the actions taken today, we are communicating to the U.S. Congress that the United States continues to waive sanctions as required to continue implementing U.S. sanctions-lifting commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This ongoing review does not diminish the United States’ resolve to continue countering Iran’s destabilizing activity in the region, whether it be supporting the Assad regime, backing terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, or supporting violent militias that undermine governments in Iraq and Yemen. And above all, the United States will never allow the regime in Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.”

The report’s release coincides with the Department of the Treasury’s announcement of new sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

“Last month the Treasury Department imposed the first human rights-related sanctions designations against Iranian individuals and entities since December 2014, and we will continue to pursue initiatives around the world that uphold our core values of promoting and protecting human rights,” said Jones.

“The Treasury Department is imposing new sanctions on Iranian defense officials, an Iranian entity, and a China-based network that supplied missile-applicable items to a key Iranian defense entity. The action reflects concern with Iran’s continued development of ballistic missiles, which is in inconsistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran continues to pursue missile-related technologies capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. The State Department will continue to partner with our colleagues at the Department of the Treasury to ensure our national security in the face of Iranian threats.”

See here for the Treasury Department press release.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

On behalf of President Trump and the American people, I congratulate Norway on the 203^rd anniversary of Constitution Day.

Almost five million Americans trace their origins to Norway, and the Norwegian-American community has played a proud role in U.S. history. Those close people-to-people ties are interwoven with our shared commitment to democracy, security, and sovereignty. We appreciate Norway’s contributions to NATO, support for the fight against ISIS, and leadership in promoting peace and reconciliation across the globe. In those endeavors – and the pursuit of countless other shared priorities – the cooperation between our nations has never been stronger.

The United States is proud to call Norway an Ally, a partner, and a friend. I wish all Norwegians a happy May 17.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Good morning, all. It’s really good to welcome you to the State Department. It’s a pleasure to have you here visiting.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAMAMRA: Absolutely. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. My pleasure to be back in Washington, D.C. You know I have served here 20 years ago as an ambassador?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Wow.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAMAMRA: Yeah, ambassador of Algeria, so I am back. So for —

SECRETARY TILLERSON: So you’re familiar with the place.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAMAMRA: Definitely. Glad to be here.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: It’s great to see you.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, Vladimir Putin is offering Congress a transcript of that Lavrov Oval Office meeting. Do you think the Russians were bugging the Oval Office?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: I would have no way to know that. Thank you.

QUESTION: What do you think of his offer?

QUESTION: Secretary Tillerson, do you stand by —

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, do you have any comment on the violent protest outside Turkey embassy?

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Today in Washington, D.C., Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) William R. Brownfield will engage judges and court employees across the country via a panel focusing on the role of the International Judicial Relations Committee of the U.S. Judicial Conference (IJRC). At this event, organized by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Assistant Secretary Brownfield will highlight INL’s work with the U.S. judiciary to build strong justice sectors abroad. This partnership enhances the safety of Americans by helping international partners deal more effectively with complex transnational crimes like terrorism and illicit trafficking.

Two U.S. judges and Ambassador John O’Keefe, Executive Director of the Open World Leadership Center, will join the Assistant Secretary on the panel. The audience includes staff of Washington, D.C.-based federal judicial agencies as well as federal courts across the United States, which will connect to the panel via a livestream.

Through its innovative program of partnerships with judges, prosecutors, and public defenders nationwide, INL taps the expertise of domestic-based experts to promote good governance and effective approaches to crime overseas, thereby increasing U.S. security.

For more information please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov, or follow INL on Facebook at Facebook.com/StateINL and Twitter via @StateINL.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.