The Latest Breaking News from State Department

US Denounces Iran for Public Execution

The US State Department denounced Iran on Monday for hanging a man in public, saying Tehran's use of harsh sentencing and public execution is meant to intimidate people protesting against the ruling theocracy. "We denounce this draconian treatment in the strongest terms. These harsh sentences and now the first public…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 13, 2022

Body of sportswriter Wahl, who died while covering World Cup, returns to U.S

The body of well-known U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who died suddenly on Friday after collapsing while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, has arrived in the United States, the State Department said on Monday.

Reuters · Dec 12, 2022

Soccer journalist Grant Wahl's body returned to US

A senior State Department official says the body and possessions of soccer journalist Grant Wahl have been repatriated to the United States after his death last week while covering the World Cup in Qatar

The Independent UK · Dec 12, 2022

US Presses UN on Israeli Settlement Business Blacklist

The United States said Friday it was pressing the United Nations not to update a blacklist of companies doing business in Israeli settlements, despite Washington's calls on its ally to stop expansion in occupied Palestinian territory. The State Department confirmed that it had approached the UN human rights office with…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 10, 2022

U.S. aims for 'top line' deal on aid to three Pacific island countries

The United States hopes to reach agreement on "top line" numbers for assistance to three Pacific island countries by the year end, a State Department official told Reuters on Thursday, part of negotiations critical to shoring up U.S. strategic interests in a region courted by China.

Reuters · Dec 9, 2022

Timeline: Everything Leading Up to Brittney Griner’s Release From Russia

After being detained for 10 months, a prisoner swap has released her from Russian custody.

Sports Illustrated · Dec 8, 2022

U.S. expresses concern about N.Korea missile launches to Chinese representative

The U.S. Special Representative on North Korea Sung Kim told his Chinese counterpart on Korean Peninsula affairs Liu Xiaoming the United States was concerned by an "unprecedented" number of ballistic missile launches from Pyongyang, the State Department said.

Reuters · Dec 8, 2022

Blinken: U.S. will be able to call Sweden, Finland NATO allies soon

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said he is convinced the United States will be able to call Sweden and Finland NATO allies soon and said Turkey's concerns about the two nations joining the alliance are being addressed.

Reuters · Dec 8, 2022

U.S. seeks more information on Reuters report over Nigerian military secret abortion program

A Reuters report that the Nigerian military ran a secret mass abortion program in its war on Boko Haram is "harrowing" and the United States is seeking more information, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday.

Reuters · Dec 7, 2022

White House holds sensitive meeting on approach to new Israeli government

The government is set to include Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — politicians known for their Jewish supremacist rhetoric.

Axios · Dec 7, 2022