MR PATEL: I’m not going to comment on private diplomatic negotiations, and I don’t have a different assessment to offer from yesterday. But Special Presidential Coordinator Hochstein is in touch with the parties and continues to work to resolve outstanding differences as the negotiation enters a final phase.
QUESTION: Okay, on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. First, today the Israeli forces killed a 14-year-old boy, Muhammad Ibrahim, near Ramallah. And I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but as the election campaign heats up in Israel it seems like everybody is trying to sort of bolster their credentials and so on by attacking the Palestinians. They’re not listening to you. They’re calling for calm and so on, but they’re not listening. And there is a high Palestinian official in town. You guys met with him. I mean, this thing really is getting out of hand. Are you – do you feel concerned? Are you calling on them to back off this kind of heavy-handed approach with the Palestinians?
MR PATEL: I don’t have any actions to preview, and as you so note that we’re not going to comment on congressional correspondence. But of course any country continuing to support Russia as it relates to its conflict in Ukraine right now, its unjust and its unlawful infringement on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, would be deeply problematic. But I don’t have any actions to preview.
MR PATEL: Go ahead.
MR PATEL: Well, condemnation and sanctions further isolate the Iranian regime from international recognition, from their place in the international order, so I would reject the premise of the question a little bit. I mean, these things do —
MR PATEL: I can check and I can circle back with you and see if we can —
QUESTION: Well, no, but is there any suggestion that they are changing their behavior?
QUESTION: Thanks so much. Thank you.
MR PATEL: Sure.
QUESTION: One more question.
MR PATEL: Yeah. Thanks for your question, Paul. So the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator office in Haiti has called for a humanitarian corridor to restore the distribution of fuel throughout Haiti. We’re considering that request and are coordinating with Prime Minister Henry and other international partners to determine how best the United States can provide additional support to Haiti. And we strongly condemn those who continue to block the distribution of fuel and other necessities to Haitian businesses. But I don’t have any other updates to offer.
MR PATEL: I’m not sure of the specifics of the request. I believe the main ask is a humanitarian corridor, but I can see if we’ve got more.
QUESTION: I —
QUESTION: Thank you so much. On Armenia and Azerbaijan, just curious if you have anything for me following yesterday’s meetings in Prague. The French side put out some statement declaring that both sides have taken some obligations, but particularly, most notably —
MR PATEL: It originated – it wasn’t a U.S. request, but I’m happy to check to see if we have more.
QUESTION: Thank you. Recently, North Korea and China are doing the cargo trains, and Russia and North Korea started to open railroads. It was reported that it was for the transport of the North Korean ammunition. Do you have any suspicious movement for these countries?
MR PATEL: Again —
QUESTION: All right.
MR PATEL: Well, Guita, we have been sending a very strong message to Iran from not just the public comments coming from this administration but also through various interagency sanctions and packages. And we continue to have tools in our toolbelt to hold the Iranian regime accountable.
MR PATEL: Sure.
Additionally, she met with the mayor of Kyiv and visited a neighborhood and school which was previously used as a makeshift bomb shelter.
MR PATEL: Go ahead.
QUESTION: Can I just ask one question on the referendum?
The National Strategy also directs significant investments be made in partnership with the State of Alaska and Alaskan communities. These investments will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change through resilience and investing in infrastructure. And such efforts will be integral to improving the livelihoods in Alaska, including those of Native Alaskans.
Joseph.
MR PATEL: Sure. So a couple of points. First, we are aware of the delay. I don’t have any additional comments to offer on why the reasoning; would refer you to the AU. But Special Presidential Envoy Hammer is in the region. He is currently in Nairobi consulting with the Kenyan Government as well as other regional and international partners to prepare for this AU-led effort. Special Envoy Hammer met with President Ruto on October 7th, earlier today in Nairobi. He also met with former President Kenyatta and expressed support for his participation in the AU-led mediation effort as well.
MR PATEL: No, to – as in “Sure, let me get to your question.”
QUESTION: Yeah. I mean, he asked the question I —
MR PATEL: I don’t have any metrics to offer for you right now, but we are going to continue to use actions like these at our disposal to hold the Iranian regime accountable for human rights abuses, for crackdowns on violent protests, for a lot of what we’re seeing in Iran right now.
MR PATEL: Sure.
MR PATEL: Yeah. Yeah.
QUESTION: So is that kind of pushing the envelope a little bit?
Alex, go ahead.
MR PATEL: What do you mean?
During this visit, she met with President Zelenskyy, where she reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s unwavering commitment to help Ukraine prevail in the war and reiterated that the U.S. will never recognize Russia’s purported annexations of Ukrainian territory.
QUESTION: Well, a couple of different questions. First, it’s just kind of for the record. Is there any indication that U.S. and international condemnations, expressions of outrage, and even sanctions have budged the – have impacted the Iranian Government on its treatment of protesters? Have they – is there any sign that it’s had any impact?
Second, I mean, yesterday they forcibly evicted a Palestinian family near Hebron owned by al-Hroub family. They evicted them. Do you have any comment on that?
MR PATEL: “Sure” as in let me answer your question. No, no, no, no.
QUESTION: President Zelenskyy – can I ask a question?
Go ahead, Alex.
We remain committed to reaching a resolution, and we firmly believe that a lasting agreement is possible and is within reach. But I don’t have any other updates to offer.
MR PATEL: I don’t have any assessment on that piece of news, but I believe we spoke to this in a briefing a number of weeks ago, about Russia purchasing North Korean ammunition for their conflict. And so I would just refer you to our comments on that.
Going back to Janne.
MR PATEL: Guita.
QUESTION: I had a couple questions to – just to clarify.
MR PATEL: Of course.
MR PATEL: I am not going to prognosticate, but our desire is that as many countries as possible join us in condemnation of Russia and their unlawful annexation of territory that is clearly, lawfully, legally Ukraine. But my colleagues at the mission in New York can speak more to the vote next week.
MR PATEL: In the course of this context, Said – sorry, I lost my train of thought. But what this is about is President Biden’s comments were quite clear that this is about how seriously we take this threat. But I would again reiterate that we’ve not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor do we have any indications that Russia is preparing to eminently use nuclear weapons.
MR PATEL: In the course of this context, Said – sorry, I lost my train of thought. But what this is about is President Biden’s comments were quite clear that this is about how seriously we take this threat. But I would again reiterate that we’ve not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor do we have any indications that Russia is preparing to eminently use nuclear weapons.
MR PATEL: In the course of this context, Said – sorry, I lost my train of thought. But what this is about is President Biden’s comments were quite clear that this is about how seriously we take this threat. But I would again reiterate that we’ve not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor do we have any indications that Russia is preparing to eminently use nuclear weapons.
QUESTION: Which organizations?
QUESTION: You said that you’re going to be consulting with partners and allies. Would that include taking action on the international organizations?
Janne, go ahead.
MR PATEL: Sure.
MR PATEL: Yeah. Anything else on the region before we move away?
In response to tensions made worse by Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine, the National Strategy ensures deterrence against threats to the U.S. homeland and to our allies by enhancing the capabilities required to defend our interests.
QUESTION: No, no, no, that’s the whole point.
MR PATEL: I don’t think so at all. And I’m certainly not trying to – I would agree with the notion that you alluded to that the words of a president matter. And what President Biden was speaking to yesterday was how seriously we take these threats and how seriously we take the threats of nuclear weapons. And we have raised these similar concerns when Russian officials have used this kind of language previously. And we’ve also communicated directly with the Russian Federation the kinds of consequences should such an action take place.
QUESTION: Yes?
QUESTION: Lastly I just wanted to ask on the Lebanese —
Despite the challenges to international cooperation resulting from Russia’s war, the National Strategy will help us sustain institutions for Arctic cooperation, including the Arctic Council, for years to come.
MR PATEL: Go ahead.
QUESTION: Okay. Secondly, on Haiti, can you tell us if Haiti is or is expected to request an international force to help them maintain security or any new assistance in that regard?
QUESTION: — Israeli deal. It seems that – to be faltering. Do you have any comment on that?
MR PATEL: Correct.
QUESTION: I have a question.
MR PATEL: I don’t have any comparisons to offer. But as it relates to the referenda in Ukraine, it’s very clear that these are a sham and these results are – have been puppeteered and manipulated by Moscow, and they are certainly not something that this administration or this country will ever recognize.
QUESTION: Thanks.
MR PATEL: Sure, Matt. So the President’s comments —
MR PATEL: So, Said, President Biden and Secretary Blinken have been very clear about this, that so – as long as the United States or our allies are not attacked, we are not going to get directly engaged in this conflict either by putting American troops to fight in Ukraine or attacking Russian forces.
MR PATEL: No, no, no.
QUESTION: Can I switch topics?
MR PATEL: Sure, Joseph. So again, I don’t have specific color to offer on diplomatic negotiations, but this is something that Special Coordinator Hochstein is deeply engaged on. He’s in touch with the parties. And as I said, we believe that a lasting agreement is possible and is in within reach, and we’re going to continue to work towards that.
Administrator Power also took the opportunity to announce an additional million investment in Ukraine’s heating infrastructure that will keep – that will help support repairs and keep the heat on through the winter.
QUESTION: Just quickly, on the Iran nuclear deal talks, Special Envoy Malley – it was published this morning – was saying that the Iranians are still looking for guarantees for many – U.S. guarantees from any future administration that they won’t be sanctioned again, and so forth. First of all, is that still the main sticking point? And second, do you have any updates? Are they any travel plans for Special Envoy Malley to revive these stalled talks, or where are we at?
MR PATEL: I have two very brief things for you at the top and then I’m happy to take your questions.
MR PATEL: Well, if your question is who is responsible for the destabilizing actions, that is very clear: it is the DPRK which this week we have seen a number of ballistic missile tests, all of which are in clear violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and not just pose a threat to its immediate neighbors but also the region.
QUESTION: But there’s – but there are reports they want a new – some sort of new international security intervention or assistance, I mean —
QUESTION: Thanks. Happy Friday. So going back to Russia-Ukraine or related to it – and I realize that your White House colleague has spoken to this already and a bunch of other people have as well, but I just wanted to ask you about the President’s comments last night about Armageddon and whether this building sees that – or thinks that, believes that the world is on the precipice of an apocalyptic nuclear disaster.
QUESTION: Does the U.S. have independent sanctions against the North Korea, including military sanctions?
QUESTION: Yeah, Iranian drones are becoming increasingly problematic. So just yesterday, the Ukrainians put out some numbers out there saying that they have shot down 20 drones. In terms of legality of this issue – I know that there are several bureaus or units at the State Department are involved in war crimes. Are you also to planning to bring Iran into this picture when you are looking into war crimes in – because the Iranians’ drones are —
QUESTION: “Sure?”
MR PATEL: Pause. The President’s comments, if you saw the transcript, but they reinforce how seriously this administration takes these threats and takes the threat of nuclear weapons. And we have been quite clear about that when Russian officials have made this threat over the course of this conflict. This kind of irresponsible rhetoric is not something that should be coming from a leader of an armed nuclear state. It’s no way that such a leader should speak. But we have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture and nor do we have any indication that Russia is preparing to eminently use nuclear weapons.
Daphne, you had your hand up.
MR PATEL: Yeah.
MR PATEL: Sure.
MR PATEL: Again, the eviction of families from their homes would certainly be something that would exasperate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution. And so we again believe that it’s critical for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to refrain from unilateral steps that could exasperate such tensions and undercut these kinds of efforts.
MR PATEL: Again, the eviction of families from their homes would certainly be something that would exasperate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution. And so we again believe that it’s critical for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to refrain from unilateral steps that could exasperate such tensions and undercut these kinds of efforts.
QUESTION: I mean, you call it a sham and so on. But quite honestly, it’s not much different than the referendum that you supported back in Kosovo when Kosovo broke away from Serbia. I mean, all Serbs that lived in the region boycotted it at the time, but the Kosovars voted for it. Is there any similarity between the two?
QUESTION: — in terms of troops or policing.
MR PATEL: Oh, sorry.
QUESTION: All right, well —
MR PATEL: Understood.
QUESTION: Thank you. There’s a report out today that Vladimir Putin was confronted by a member of his inner circle, according to U.S. Intelligence. Does the State Department assess that there are fractures within the top levels of the Kremlin?
On October 5th at the UN Security Council, we held a meeting to join our allies in denouncing these actions, and as many of you saw earlier today, the Department of Treasury announced a new package of sanctions newly designating individuals and entities connected to the unlawful delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK. So we are going to continue to pay close attention to this and engage with our allies and partners. As a matter of fact, Special Representative Sung Kim had the opportunity to speak to his counterparts within the ROK and Japan today, and so this is, again, something we’re going to pay close attention to and continue to monitor.
On October 5th at the UN Security Council, we held a meeting to join our allies in denouncing these actions, and as many of you saw earlier today, the Department of Treasury announced a new package of sanctions newly designating individuals and entities connected to the unlawful delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK. So we are going to continue to pay close attention to this and engage with our allies and partners. As a matter of fact, Special Representative Sung Kim had the opportunity to speak to his counterparts within the ROK and Japan today, and so this is, again, something we’re going to pay close attention to and continue to monitor.
On October 5th at the UN Security Council, we held a meeting to join our allies in denouncing these actions, and as many of you saw earlier today, the Department of Treasury announced a new package of sanctions newly designating individuals and entities connected to the unlawful delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK. So we are going to continue to pay close attention to this and engage with our allies and partners. As a matter of fact, Special Representative Sung Kim had the opportunity to speak to his counterparts within the ROK and Japan today, and so this is, again, something we’re going to pay close attention to and continue to monitor.
MR PATEL: Yeah, so I don’t have any travel to preview or anything like that, and I certainly am not going to get into the specifics of our diplomatic engagements and negotiations as it relates to the JCPOA. But we’ve been quite clear that if Iran continues to take positions that it knows neither we nor our E3 partners can possibly accept, then things are going to continue on the current course. And this means strictly enforcing our sanctions and increasing Iran’s international isolationism. And the choice is ultimately theirs. But I don’t have an update beyond that.
QUESTION: One more —
QUESTION: I’m not suggesting it’s wrong. I just would – do you —
All right. Folks, thank you.
QUESTION: Thank you. Have a good weekend.
QUESTION: Wait, wait, wait.
QUESTION: I could ask you further on that, but I probably know the answer. Just I mean, what makes you guys believe or be optimistic that a resolution is within striking distance or that can be reached? And how much bandwidth does, I mean, the special envoy for – Presidential Coordinator Hochstein have with everything else going on in terms of the energy – looming energy crisis?
MR PATEL: I’m just not going to speculate on the legal aspects of that yet, but I will check and see if we can offer additional assessments.
MR PATEL: Sure.
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MR PATEL: But obviously, it’s a request that originated from elsewhere, but happy to check on it.
QUESTION: Thank you, Vedant. As the demonstrations in Iran continue, the Iranian suppression continues as well. What’s new now today, and yesterday basically, is that the Islamic Republic is giving one version of the cause of death with at least two of the people who have been killed, whereas the family members of these two are providing a totally different reason. They’re denying the Iranian claim that these two were – had medical issues to begin with, and so they’re fabricating – the Islamic Republic is fabricating the cause of death. France and Denmark are sending stronger messages. As you know, France and – a French national has been detained recently. Denmark today issued a travel warning to its citizens. So is it time for a stronger message to Iran?
MR PATEL: Well, what is it – you said this request. What’s the request?
MR PATEL: Of course.
This new assistance will directly help up to seven million Ukrainians across 19 regions.
We condemn Iranian authorities’ arrest of peaceful protestors, the targeting of journalists, the crackdown on human rights activists, teachers, and others, as well as the continued disruption of internet inside Iran as well. This cruel and ongoing suppression of peaceful protestors is – it just shows that the regime is – clearly fears its people. We are going to continue to coordinate with our allies and partners and respond to Iran’s violent crackdown, as well as frankly its state sponsored violence against women that we’re seeing take place all across the country.
QUESTION: If it was a – if it was a U.S. request, it would already have been —
QUESTION: Imminently. Imminently.
MR PATEL: I will see if our USAID colleagues can get you some additional metrics on the humanitarian assistance announced and see if we can get you some more.
MR PATEL: Imminently use – imminently using nuclear weapons. What I would say, though, again is that the President’s comments and our paying close attention of this is just indicative of how seriously we take this issue.
