State Department spokesman Ned Price
State Dept. Sidesteps ‘Hypothetical’ About Iraq Drone Attack and Iran Nuclear Talks
The Biden administration strongly condemned Sunday’s drone attack targeting Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, but amid claims that Iranian proxy militias were responsible State Department spokesman...
Flashback: World ‘Won’t Recognize’ a Government in Afghanistan That Seizes Power by Force
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday the Taliban could “earn” international legitimacy “gradually, over time” depending on its actions. But for months he and other State Department...
Taliban Spokesman: The Haqqani Network is the Taliban
A Taliban spokesman on Thursday reiterated its long-held claim that there was no distinction between the Taliban and the Haqqani network, underlining one of the difficulties the U.S. and allies will have...
Rejecting Criticism, State Dept Insists US Coordinated Afghan Withdrawal With NATO Allies
The State Department on Wednesday insisted that the U.S. closely coordinated its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan with its NATO allies, rejecting criticism from some British lawmakers who suggested otherwise.
State Dept. Alters Stance on Non-Recognition of Any Afghan Govt. Taking Power ‘By Force’
For months the State Department has been saying that the U.S. and many other countries will not recognize a government in Afghanistan that takes power “by force.” On Monday, it focused instead on “the...
‘Insane … Ridiculous’: State Dept Challenged Over Claim Taliban Wants a Just and Durable Peace
For weeks the State Department has been repeating the claim that the Taliban cares about international legitimacy and shares other parties’ interests in a “durable” peace. But amid claims the terrorist...
State Dept. Defends Nord Stream 2 Deal, Says Sanctions Could Not Have Stopped Pipeline’s Completion
State Department spokesman Ned Price on Thursday doubled down on the assertion that there was nothing sanctions could have done to prevent the completion the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a which he said was...
State Dept: ‘Jury is Still Out’ on Whether Iran Will Play ‘a Constructive Role’ in Afghanistan
State Department spokesman Ned Price expressed no concern Wednesday about Iran hosting talks in Tehran with Taliban and Afghan officials, saying “the jury is still out” on whether Iran was playing...
State Dept. Challenged Over Notion That Taliban Cares About International Legitimacy
The notion that the Taliban cares about international legitimacy or support and will temper its conduct accordingly was disputed during a State Department briefing on Tuesday.
State Department Appears Reluctant to Unequivocally Condemn Iran’s Election to UN Gender Equality Body
The Biden administration, which has pledged to put human rights at the center of its foreign policy, appears reluctant to speak out unequivocally against Irans recent election to the U.N. agency dedicated...
Blinken, State Department Defend Kerry Against Claims He Told Iran’s FM About Israeli Ops in Syria
The State Department and Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week defended John Kerry, under fire over claims that he told Iran’s foreign minister about covert Israeli military operations against...
Did Kerry Tell Iranians About Covert Israeli Operations? State Dep’t Says It Was Public Knowledge
State Department spokesman Ned Price on Monday defended U.S. climate envoy John Kerry against claims he told Iran’s foreign minister about covert Israeli military strikes against Iranian facilities in...
State Dept Won’t Embrace Pompeo’s 12 Demands For Iranian Regime Behavior Change
State Department spokesman Ned Price on Tuesday would not respond directly when asked if the Biden administration has abandoned 12 requirements its predecessor set down for changes in Iranian behavior,...
State Dept Won’t Say Directly That IRGC Terror Designation is ‘Not On the Table’ in Iran Nuclear Deal Talks
State Department spokesman Ned Price on Wednesday sidestepped an invitation to rule out the possibility that the Trump administration’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as...
On Returning to the Iran Nuclear Deal, Administration is Now Looking at ‘Mutual Steps’
The Biden administration is “ready to pursue a return to compliance with” the U.S. commitments under the Iran nuclear deal and is discussing with its partners in the accord “about the best way to...
State Dept. Bristles at Invitation to ‘Grade’ Biden Approach to Iran, Blames Trump For Provocations
Faced with the implied suggestion that the Biden administration’s overtures to Iran were not working – given ongoing attacks by its proxies in Iraq and Yemen – State Department spokesman Ned Price...
Saudi Row: WH, State Dep’t Say US Has ‘Historically’ Not Directly Sanctioned Foreign Leaders
The White House and State Department on Monday both stated – incorrectly – that the U.S. has historically not sanctioned leaders of countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Under questioning,...
State Dep’t Links Rocket Attacks in Iraq With Trump Administration’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran
After the first deadly rocket attack targeting Americans in Iraq since the start of the Biden administration, State Department spokesman Ned Price suggested Tuesday that an uptick in rocket attacks was...