Testimony of Robert Malley Special Envoy for Iran U.S. Department of State Senate Foreign Relations Committee “The JCPOA Negotiations and United States’ Policy on Iran Moving Forward” May 25, 2022 Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, Members of the Committee, Thank you for this opportunity to talk about the Biden Administration’s strategy toward Iran. Let me begin …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 21 June, 2022 | Topics: Near East & North Africa, Statements, Transcripts | Tags: Near East and North Africa, Statement, Transcript
SPEECH ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE NATO HEADQUARTERS AGORA BRUSSELS, BELGIUM MARCH 24, 2021 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon. A few weeks ago, not long after becoming Secretary of State, I spoke directly to the American people. I said that my number one job is to ensure that America’s foreign policy delivers for them – that it makes their lives more …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 25 March, 2021 | Topics: Near East & North Africa, Statements, Transcripts | Tags: Near East and North Africa, Statement, Transcript
March 20, 2021 On behalf of the State Department, I would like to extend my best wishes for a Happy Nowruz to everyone around the world who celebrates this festive occasion: from the people in Iran and the Middle East, to Europe, the Caucasus, Central and South Asia, and the Americas. Marking the first day of …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 20 March, 2021 | Topics: Near East & North Africa, Statements, Transcripts
U.S. Department of State Headquarters Harry S. Truman Building Washington, D.C. THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Secretary, it’s great to be here with you. And I’ve been looking forward a long time to be able to call you “Mr. Secretary.” Good afternoon, everyone. It’s an honor to be back at the State Department under the eyes of …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 6 February, 2021 | Topics: Near East & North Africa, News, Transcripts | Tags: Biden, Iran, State Department
The United States Capitol 11:52 AM EST THE PRESIDENT: Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 21 January, 2021 | Topics: Near East & North Africa, Speeches, Transcripts
STATEMENT BY MORGAN ORTAGUS, SPOKESPERSON April 30, 2019 The Iranian Regime’s Crackdown on Women Activists The United States strongly condemns the Iranian regime’s growing crackdown on women advocating for their human rights. Yasmin Aryani, Monireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz have been arrested in recent days for the crime of peacefully protesting compulsory hijab. Vida Movahedi, who became the …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 1 May, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases, Transcripts
On-The-Record Briefing April 22, 2019 Press Briefing Room Washington, D.C. MS ORTAGUS: Go ahead, yeah. We have some familiar faces for all of you for the rest of them. Do you have one in the back? Yeah, go ahead. QUESTION: Hey guys. Thanks very much for doing this. Nick from PBS NewsHour here. A couple of follow-ups: One, …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 23 April, 2019 | Topics: Statements, Transcripts
Iran Should Reconcile With America Isn’t it time to abandon the policies that have kept the people of Iran and the United States apart since 1979? Mr. Hook is the United States Special Representative for Iran and a senior advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. April 8, 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/opinion/iran-united-states.html Iran recently observed the 40th anniversary …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 11 April, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases, Transcripts
April 8, 2019 Press Briefing Room Washington, D.C. MR PALLADINO: Thank you all very much. We now have Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State Brian Hook and our Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Nathan Sales. They’d be happy to take additional questions. Please. Let’s start – Associated Press, Matt. QUESTION: …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 9 April, 2019 | Topics: Statements, Transcripts
Remarks by Vice President Mike Pence at Warsaw Summit February 14, 2019 Warsaw, Poland [Excerpts] Since day one of our administration, President Trump promised to stand with the good people of Iran and stand up to their oppressors – and that’s just what we have done. And President Trump kept his word when he …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 14 February, 2019 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts
Speech Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State The American University in Cairo Cairo, Egypt January 10, 2019 Thank you, Frank. Thank you to Frank Ricciardone. Thank you for your service to America as well, in addition to the duties that you perform here.I’ve had the good fortune to be a frequent visitor here to Egypt …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 10 January, 2019 | Topics: Policy, Speeches, Transcripts
Remarks Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State United Nations New York City December 12, 2018 SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much, and good morning. Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate them.Just two days ago, the head of the IRGC’s airspace division, Amir Hajizadeh, boasted that Iran is capable of building missiles with a range …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 13 December, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts
Special Briefing Brian Hook Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State and Special Representative for Iran en route to, Brussels, Belgium December 3, 2018 The Iranian Government claims that its missile testing is purely defensive in nature. How exactly is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism entitled to a claim of defense? In fact, Iran’s …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 4 December, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts
Special Briefing Brian Hook Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State and Special Representative for Iran Joint Base Anacostia – Bolling Washington, DC November 29, 2018 Good morning, and thank you all for coming. I want to thank Secretary Mattis and the men and women of our armed forces for their brave service to …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 29 November, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts
Remarks Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Westin Grand Central Hotel New York City September 25, 2018 SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you, all. Thank you. Thanks. So I’m still – it’s going to take me just a minute to recover. I was desperately afraid Senator Lieberman was going to ask me to translate some Latin …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 26 September, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Policy, Speeches, Transcripts
Special Briefing Nathan A. Sales Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Via Teleconference September 19, 2018 MR PALLADINO: Thank you. Hello, everyone. This is Robert Palladino. Thank you so much for joining us for today’s call. Today’s call is on the record. And I also want to note that both the call and the report are embargoed until …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 20 September, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Policy, Transcripts
Remarks Brian Hook Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State and Special Representative for Iran The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Washington, DC August 28, 2018 Good afternoon. Thank you Mark Dubowitz and to FDD, not only for hosting me but for all the great work you do. About two weeks ago the PBS Frontline …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 29 August, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Speeches, Transcripts
Heather Nauert Spokesperson Department Press Briefing Washington, DC August 15, 2018 We are closely monitoring reports of numerous human rights defenders and members of minority groups, such as the Gonabadi Dervishes, who are unlawfully or arbitrarily incarcerated in Iranian regime prisons. Yesterday I tweeted about Narges Mohammadi. She is a mother of two with a …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 16 August, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts | Tags: Gonabadi Dervishes, Narges Mohammadi, Nasrin Sotoudeh
Interview Mike Pompeo Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC June 22, 2018 QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo, thank you for having us. SECRETARY POMPEO: Hugh, it’s great to be with you. Welcome to the State Department. QUESTION: Let me start practical. Great to be here. Let me be practical: You’ve got some empty offices at the Department of State. …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 25 June, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts, U.S. Secretary of State | Tags: Michael R. Pompeo
Press Availability John J. Sullivan Acting Secretary of State Toronto, Canada April 23, 2018 ACTING SECRETARY SULLIVAN: Good afternoon, everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here in Toronto for the G7 ministerial meeting. Toronto is a beautiful city (inaudible) and lovely weather, beautiful facilities here at the university. Very grateful for our hosts here. The Government …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 24 April, 2018 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts
Ambassador Nikki Haley U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations December 14, 2017 It’s really important that you be here today, because we have a story to tell, and the story is a very important one. And it’s not just important for the United States, it’s important for the …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 15 December, 2017 | Topics: Policy, Statements, Transcripts
Special Briefing Nathan A. Sales Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Washington, DC October 10, 2017 Good afternoon, everyone. This past weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the United States designating Hizballah as a foreign terrorist organization. With backing from its patron, the Iranian regime, Hizballah remains one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations. It continues …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 12 October, 2017 | Topics: Policy, Transcripts
Treasury Sanctions Key Ballistic Missile Entities in Iran Action Follows Iran’s Launch of Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle and Continued Provocations Washington – Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six Iran-based subordinates of Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), an entity central to Iran’s ballistic missile program, in response to …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 28 July, 2017 | Topics: Policy, Statements, Transcripts
The White House Office of the Press Secretary May 21, 2017 President Trump’s Speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit Remarks as prepared for delivery Thank You. I want to thank King Salman for his extraordinary words, and the magnificent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting today’s summit. I am honored to be received by …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 22 May, 2017 | Topics: Policy, President of the United States, Speeches, Transcripts | Tags: Donald J. Trump
ALERT MARCH 16, 2017 Important Announcement Executive Order on Visas On March 15, 2017, the United States District Court in Hawaii issued a ruling barring the Department from implementing Sections 2 and 6 of Executive Order 13780 suspending visa issuance and entry into the United States. On March 16, 2017, a federal district court for the District of …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 16 March, 2017 | Topics: Events, Featured Event, Policy, Transcripts | Tags: Announcement, Executive Order, Important Announcement, Visas
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson February 14, 2017 STATEMENT BY MARK TONER, ACTING SPOKESPERSON Six-Year Anniversary of the House Arrests of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and Zahra Rahnavard This week marks the six-year anniversary of the detention without formal charges of former senior Iranian officials and 2009 presidential election candidates Mehdi …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 14 February, 2017 | Topics: Human Rights, Policy, Statements, Transcripts | Tags: Mehdi Karroubi, Mirhossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard
Name: Saeed Shirzad Occupation: Children’s rights activist Date of Arrest: September 12, 2015 Charge: “assembly and collusion against national security” Sentence: 5 years
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 6 February, 2017 | Topics: Human Rights, Policy, Transcripts | Tags: Faces of Iran, Political Prisoner, Saeed Shirzad
Name: Ali Shariati Occupation: Activist Date of Arrest: October 31, 2016 Charge: “acting against national security by participating in a protest against acid attacks on October 22, 2014” Sentence: 5 years
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 30 January, 2017 | Topics: Culture, Human Rights, Policy, Transcripts | Tags: Ali Shariati, Faces of Iran, Imprisoned
President Trump acted on Monday to keep a signature campaign promise: withdraw the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. As he signed the order in the Oval Office, Trump said, “We’ve been talking about this for a long time,” adding it’s “a great thing for the American worker.”
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 24 January, 2017 | Topics: Featured Event, News, Policy, President of the United States, Speeches, Statements, Transcripts | Tags: Donald J. Trump, TPP
Remarks of President Donald J. Trump Friday January 20, 2017 Washington DC (As Prepared for Delivery ) Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans, and people of the world: thank you. We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and to …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 23 January, 2017 | Topics: Culture, Events, Fact Sheets, Featured Event, Policy, President of the United States, Speeches, Transcripts | Tags: Donald J. Trump
Statement by the President on the 75th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor The White House Office of the Press Secretary Seventy-five years ago today, a sudden and unprovoked attack turned a tranquil harbor into a sea of flames. Over 2,400 American patriots lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor—military and civilian, …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 7 December, 2016 | Topics: Culture, Events, Former U.S. Government Leaders, Statements, Transcripts | Tags: Anniversary, Attack on Pearl harbor, Barack Obama, Pearl harbor
Terrorists will never be able to defeat the United States. Their only hope is to terrorize us into changing who we are or our way of life. That’s why we Americans will never give in to fear. And it’s why this weekend we remember the true spirit of 9/11. We’re still the America of heroes …
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By Virtual Embassy Iran 40 | 12 September, 2016 | Topics: Exclude, Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: 9/11, Barack Obama, September Eleven, Terrorism
By Louise Fenner | Staff Writer Washington — Eskandar Firouz helped pioneer Iran’s environmental movement in the 1960s and played an important role in the enactment of an international treaty to protect the world’s wetlands. But today in Iran, many wetlands are imperiled, lakes are drying up and natural habitats are being destroyed. To generate …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 7 September, 2016 | Topics: Transcripts, U.S. & Iran | Tags: Environment, Lake, Lake Oroumieh, Ramsar Convention, Wetland
By Louise Fenner | Staff Writer Washington — Iran can be proud of the role it played in the creation of the first international agreement to preserve the world’s wetlands, says an American wildlife conservationist whose research in Iran in the late 1960s helped draw attention to the importance of Iran’s wetlands habitat. “There was …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 7 September, 2016 | Topics: Transcripts, U.S. & Iran | Tags: Iran, Ramsar Convention, Wetland
Hello! To everyone celebrating Nowruz-across the United States and around the world-Nowruz Mobarak. And once again, we’ll be celebrating Nowruz at the White House, too. In a few weeks, we’ll bring out our own Haft Seen. There’ll be sabzi polo with fish. Maybe some naan berenji, too. We’ll welcome our Iranian Americans friends from across …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 19 March, 2016 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Today, on International Women’s Day, we recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which every woman and girl enjoys the full range of rights and freedoms that is her birthright. Women and girls make extraordinary contributions every day across all fields of human endeavor, including in business, education, sports, art, science, agriculture, parenting, and governance. …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 8 March, 2016 | Topics: Exclude, Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Michelle and I would like to extend our warmest wishes to Muslims in the United States and around the world celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr. As Muslims mark the end of the month, they are reminded that Ramadan is a time to reflect spiritually, build communally, and aid those in need. While Eid marks the end of Ramadan, …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 16 July, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
As the new crescent moon brings in the holy month of Ramadan, Michelle and I send our warmest greetings to all those observing the month of fasting in the United States and around the world. Ramadan is a time in which families and communities come together for iftars and prayers in festive gatherings that demonstrate …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 17 June, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
The spirit of family is deeply woven into all of the rich cultural traditions of the Nowruz holiday. It is a time for reuniting and rejoicing with loved ones and sharing hopes for the new year. Today, as families across the world gather to mark this holiday, we remember those American families who are enduring …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 20 March, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Yesterday, the FBI opened an inquiry into the brutal and outrageous murders of Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, Deah Shaddy Barakat, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In addition to the ongoing investigation by local authorities, the FBI is taking steps to determine whether federal laws were violated. No one in the United States …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 13 February, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Kayla Jean Mueller. On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I convey our deepest condolences to Kayla’s family – her parents, Marsha and Carl, and her brother Eric and his family – and all of those who loved Kayla dearly. At …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 10 February, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Today, we join the people of Jordan in grieving the loss of one of their own, First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh, cruelly and brutally killed by ISIL terrorists. On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Lieutenant al-Kasasbeh’s family and loved ones, to the brave men and women of the Jordan Armed …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 3 February, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time. France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 7 January, 2015 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Today’s ceremony in Kabul marks a milestone for our country. For more than 13 years, ever since nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken from us on 9/11, our nation has been at war in Afghanistan. Now, thanks to the extraordinary sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, our combat mission in Afghanistan is ending, …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 28 December, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Today we mark an historic day in the U.S.-Afghan partnership that will help advance our shared interests and the long-term security of Afghanistan. After nearly two years of hard work by negotiating teams on both sides, earlier today in Kabul the United States and the new Afghan Government of National Unity signed a Bilateral Security …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 30 September, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
The President: My fellow Americans, tonight I want to speak to you about what the United States will do with our friends and allies to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL. As Commander-in-Chief, my highest priority is the security of the American people. Over the last several years, we have consistently …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 10 September, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
As Muslims throughout the United States and around the world celebrate Eid-al-Fitr, Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to them and their families. This last month has been a time of fasting, reflection, spiritual renewal, and service to the less fortunate. While Eid marks the completion of Ramadan, it also celebrates the common values …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 27 July, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I extend our best wishes to Muslim communities here in the United States and around the world on the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan. A time for self-reflection and devotion through prayer and fasting, Ramadan is also an occasion when Muslims around the world reaffirm …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 27 June, 2014 | Topics: Transcripts
The United States has an unwavering commitment to bring to justice those responsible for harming Americans. Since the deadly attacks on our facilities in Benghazi, I have made it a priority to find and bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of four brave Americans. I recently authorized an operation in Libya to detain …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 17 June, 2014 | Topics: Transcripts
The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks in Iraq by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). We offer our condolences to the families of those killed and underscore our commitment to assist the Iraqi people as they confront the threat that ISIL poses to Iraq and the region. ISIL’s recent actions …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 11 June, 2014 | Topics: Transcripts
Hello! To everyone celebrating Nowruz—across the United States and in countries around the world—Nowruz Mobarak. For thousands of years, this has been a time to gather with family and friends and welcome a new spring and a new year. Last week, my wife Michelle helped mark Nowruz here at the White House. It was a …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 19 March, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
The President: Good afternoon, everybody. Before Jay takes some of your questions, I wanted to provide a brief update on our efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Since the Russian intervention, we’ve been mobilizing the international community to condemn this violation of international law and to support the people and government of Ukraine. …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 6 March, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Each year on this day the world comes together to commemorate a barbaric crime unique in human history. We recall six million Jews and millions of other innocent victims who were murdered in Nazi death camps. We mourn lives cut short and communities torn apart. Yet even on a day of solemn remembrance, there is …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 27 January, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
The United States condemns the decision taken by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Khonsari to place a wreath at the grave of Imad Mugniyah, a former leader of Lebanese Hezbollah responsible for heinous acts of terrorism that killed hundreds of innocent people, including Americans. The inhumane violence that Mugniyah perpetrated – and that Lebanese …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 14 January, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama
Today’s agreement to implement the Joint Plan of Action announced in November marks the first time in a decade that the Islamic Republic of Iran has agreed to specific actions that halt progress on its nuclear program and roll back key parts of the program. Beginning January 20th, Iran will for the first time start …
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By Virtual Embassy Tehran | 12 January, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Transcripts | Tags: Barack Obama