FULL: Rubio GRILLED On Iran, Cuba, Russia and China, Reveals Future of US-Iran In Next Few Days

[00:00:00]have one of those. I'm sorry. Go ahead.

[00:00:02]>> That's okay. Um, it went quite long. Is that a um does does that give the impression that the meeting was tense and could you give us a sense of >> we got to translate? You know, translations always take longer and back and forth of what you talked about.

[00:00:16]>> Well, we talked a lot about the the visit in September and that was really the gist of it. It's just to create the groundwork for another positive visit. I think President G will have a very positive visit when he comes to Washington. Look, these are the two most powerful countries in the world, particularly economics. Uh but also um I mean we have to have a relationship and uh and obviously there are areas of great differences. Both sides will acknowledge that. We'll have to work through those and I think these differences will exist for the foreseeable future and our our job is to sort of manage those so that they never get out of control. Um we're obviously always going to defend our national interest and I expect they'll do the same as they define it. But I think there are some areas of potential cooperation. So the work we need to do between now and September is to identify what those areas are so that we can lay the groundwork for a very positive visit to Washington and um in in September and um and uh so we talked a lot about that.

[00:01:11]>> Was there agreement on election interference?

[00:01:14]>> We didn't discuss that topic.

[00:01:15]>> Mr. Secretary, are China and Russia giving targeting information to Iran?

[00:01:19]These last few attacks have been very devastating to US troops. Look, all I would say is that uh you know, anytime you're in a combat zone like that, there's danger associated with it. I mean, at the end, this actually proves the point that this is what Iran has been investing its money in for the last 20 years.

[00:01:32]>> And Russia get targeting information.

[00:01:34]>> I'm not going to discuss that other than to say that nothing that's happened. No, nothing that China has done has in any way changed the trajectory of the out of what you're seeing in terms of the conflicts we're having with Iran. And in fact, in some cases, they've actually been quite cooperative um with regards to what they potentially could have done but didn't do. I think the Chinese and they'll I'll let them tell you, but I don't think they're big fans of what uh Iran is trying to do in the straits. In fact, they've said so publicly that they oppose tolling or any sort of restraint on freedom of navigation in the straits.

[00:02:05]And um you know, we hope they'll continue to say that and uh and it's important that other countries say that as well.

[00:02:12]>> As a similar question, I'd like to pose it to you. Is the US strategy to strike Iran into submission? And why do you think Iran is not giving in right now after?

[00:02:20]>> Well, look, the United States is uh Iran's in a lot of trouble. I mean, at the end of the day, and they obviously don't have a free press that reports on the the for example, you guys will report on, you know, the impact it's having on the US economy and gas prices and this that they don't have that in Iran. But I can tell you they're facing hyperinflation, runaway inflation, high food costs. These were all pre-existing.

[00:02:42]They've all gotten worse. They've suffered a tremendous amount of damage to their military infrastructure, but they've also spent 20 years taking every penny they have and not spending it on their country. They spent it on sponsoring terrorist groups and building up their missiles and uh and their drone systems. And this is the what you're seeing them use now, which is greatly diminished, is exactly the conventional shield that they were going to hide behind to pursue a nuclear program and challenge the world to do anything about it or face the wrath of what they were doing. A year from now, Iran would have had so many missiles and drones that they would have been behind a conventional shield that would have given them immunity to do whatever they wanted. So, right now, however, I can just say here's what's happening. It's pretty straightforward. Ships are trying to go through the straits and they're getting blown up. Commercial ships are going through the straits and they're being blown up. The United States is defending that shipping and in addition is targeting the places that are launching against those ships that continue to degrade Iran's ability to target and harm um uh global shipping.

[00:03:39]So that's what's happening here and um and that's what we're focused on.

[00:03:43]>> You mentioned this morning that Iran isn't keeping its commitments. So even if uhou is revived, what can be done to yield different results?

[00:03:51]>> Well, look, all these things are compliance based, right? I mean, if you make a deal, if you sign onto an agreement and then you violate the agreement, the agreement is no longer valid. That doesn't mean you can't have a future agreement, but ultimately that future agreement will have to be judged on whether or not you're complying with the conditions. And that deal called for the opening of the straits, free and fair navigation. In fact, they were supposed to put out a statement to that regard a week a week and a half ago. And instead, on the day they were supposed to put out that statement, instead of doing that, they targeted and blew up or hit a ship. So, we remain open to diplomacy. We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way. But right now, they don't seem to be serious about that. And so, we're going to continue to protect shipping. We think other countries should join us in that endeavor. We don't need them to, but they should because they're more impacted by it than we are. And at the same time, we are going to, when the opportunity presents itself, degrade their ability to target global shipping.

[00:04:41]>> China, China's been sending its coast guard in toward Taiwan doing patrols near Taiwan.

[00:04:48]I know the US has said this has been destabilizing. Did you raise that with with one >> It always comes up in every one of our meetings because we obviously disagree with those actions and we actually think that they run contrary to the spirit of what we're trying to work out with them uh with regards to strategic stability.

[00:05:04]But but the bigger point to make in that regard is that the US will continue to uh uh we're never going to accept that international waterways are somehow under the control of other countries.

[00:05:14]We'll continue to sail through international waterways and freedom of navigation efforts of that kind. and we'll continue to live up to our commitments for example with the Philippines and other countries in terms of the treaty commitments that we have.

[00:05:26]Um and I again it speaks to areas of disagreement when it comes to our policies with China. They need those need to be managed very carefully because obviously a conflict be it economic or otherwise between the US and China would have a dramatic global impact. So the difficult job of geopolitics and foreign policy is managing your differences and not doing anything that runs contrary to our national interest. but at the same time trying to avoid conflict that could lead to something really catastrophic for the world and I think we have an obligation to do that which is why it's important for us to continue to talk to China irrespective of our differences it's important to you know you go back to the height of the cold war even in the height of the cold war even its most tense moments the United States and the Soviet Union were communicated at least at a militaryto military level and even at a diplomatic level and in many ways that prevented catastrophe so I'm not saying we're at that stage with China but what I am saying is it would frankly be reckless and irresponsible for the US and China not to have a relationship given the impact and the and the our countries have on the global economy and on the world.

[00:06:27]>> Did you discuss with China with with Minister Wangi the the working group or any more details of the board of trade board of investment? did we did and we we're moving towards implementation of that and I think that's one of the potential you know concrete deliverables that we can have before September when that visit happens and um again those are good ideas and there they come in the aftermath of the visit we took to China earlier this year and um so we did discuss that yes >> Russia Lavro revealed that he's going to be meeting with you tomorrow if that happens are you going to press him on Ukraine or are you simply >> No we're going to I don't know if the term is press him we're going to talk about it you know obviously you the the the war in Ukraine, I think, has in many ways impeded the ability of Russia and the United States to find areas of agreement on other topics. That doesn't mean we won't seek to find other areas of potential cooperation, but by the same token, you know, we'd like to see that war come to an end. We think it would be good for Russia if that war came to an end. So, we'll raise it. And as I said, the US remains open and willing to play a constructive role in bringing that war to an end if that opportunity presents itself. and uh and it might, you know, we're we're open to it to to playing that role because we think right now, and I think the Russians would agree, we're probably the only country in the world that can play that role uh in in that in trying to bring that to an end.

[00:07:43]>> What kind of role is the US playing right now in doing that? I mean, there's still some kind of quiet talks going on or outreach by >> Well, you know, I think that you've seen kind of fall off a little bit over the last few months. Um perhaps there are now new conditions in place that will allow that conversation to happen. It's one of the things we'll explore tomorrow in our conversation. And I saw the foreign minister Lavough last night briefly. We didn't talk about any of this, but I saw him last night when he arrived at the opening dinner. And um we'll talk more tomorrow. Obviously, you know, to be fair to you guys. I mean, a lot of stuff I'll talk to him about. I'm not going to like put in a press release because it undermines the ability to find understandings. But we'll talk about it and see if there's an opening now or an opportunity for us to play a constructive role. There are other areas that the US and Russia can cooperate on that we again going back to the point I made about China. You know this is very simple. You know chi Russia possesses the we are the two largest nuclear armed countries on the planet. For us not to talk would be reckless and irresponsible. We have to have a relationship with the Russian government even though we have areas of disagreement. And in the case of Ukraine perhaps an opportunity to if we can play a constructive role to bring it to an end. So you know I'm sure that will come up tomorrow. There's no doubt, but we'll talk about some other stuff, too.

[00:08:53]>> The Wall Street Journal is reporting that um President Trump has approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. Do you have any details on that?

[00:09:00]>> Yeah, I'm I'll I'll let the White House officials sort of put out an official statement about anything with regards to that, but um I saw the same reporting this morning, but um let me let that go through. I I don't I'd prefer it be, you know, put out when there is something to say, we'll say it in through official channels. Has the US as South Korea or other Asian uh allies to contribute naval assets or something? You know, >> we didn't ask them that today. We look, I think it's to their benefit, right? If you look at the region, they heavily depend on oil and and natural gas that comes from this part of the world. Now, one of the interesting you things you've seen is that the supplies that are reaching many of the countries in the region have begun to change. They're buying more LG from us than ever before.

[00:09:42]Um they're also buying more oil from us than ever before. So I think some of the changes you have seen and where people are getting their energy are going to be permanent after what you've seen here.

[00:09:52]But nonetheless, the straits remain an important source of energy from many of the countries in this region. It's about 20% of the global oil that that's purchased. So um I think we would we think it'd be to their benefit to participate in an effort.

[00:10:04]>> You think that as today in these conversations?

[00:10:06]>> We didn't ask directly today, but we've had those conversations with them in the past. Every country has different restrictions on what they need to do in order to authorize that. Some have to get legislative approval. Uh some can do it unilaterally. Every country is different, but we've certainly raised it with different countries. We don't need them to do it, but we think it would be beneficial if they did. And some of these countries have unique capabilities in terms of mind clearing and things of that nature. So, it'd be great if they if they join the effort, and I think some of them may eventually do so. It's in their interest to do so, but um we we didn't reach any agreement on that today. Frankly, it wasn't the cornerstone of what our conversations were about.

[00:10:38]>> Mr. Mr. A lot of the Azan countries have expressed how terrible the war in Iran is for them when it comes to uh economically and the energy crunch. Uh but Israel's finance minister sort of struck a tone in a different direction said that the the tit for tat is actually the best possible situation for Israel because it's weakening Iran. Uh does this show that there are some differences between the United States and Israel when it comes to how they view this war? United States is trying to end this for the Israelis. The hostilities continuing is in their benefit.

[00:11:11]>> Yeah, look, I I can't comment on what some one individual in government said in Israel. You know, I can just generally tell you that by and large, we think that a nuclear armed Iran is an unacceptable thing. It can't happen. And that's what they were going to do if they hid behind this conventional shield that they were building and the president just was going to stand by and allow that to happen. Within two years, Iran could say, "We're breaking out to a nuclear weapon. you can't do anything about it or we're going to overwhelm you with tens of thousands of drones and missiles, which they were on pace to build. They can't do that now. That certainly weakened them. As far as the impact it's had on the global economy, I mean, Iran is targeting global shipping and international waterway and demanding to control which ships can go and which ones cannot. That just is unacceptable.

[00:11:54]We're not going to accept that. We're not going to allow that to be the status quo. But ultimately, there are other countries that should feel just as strongly as we do because they're actually more impacted by it than we are. Did you discuss with Minister Jai Shankar? Did he raise at all uh any concern by India about the uh tariffs announced by the president on generic drug makers? A lot of Americans buy their generic drugs from Indian companies that import. Is that something that came up in your discussions at all?

[00:12:19]>> I mean not with me. I mean we we didn't get into depth on pharmaceuticals today.

[00:12:23]Obviously I would expect them to be concerned about it but they didn't raise it today but they might have with others in our system because we we obviously deal with Indians. We're very close to them. So >> Mr. Secretary, you and the president have been [snorts] very blunt in your anti-communist language recently. You put out that recent report on Cuba. Um, don't you think it's inconsistent in that you haven't address the same issues with China? They're the largest communist party in the world, 100 million.

[00:12:44]>> Yeah, but our issues with communist interference inside of our country that report was about what these different elements do to interfere in our country and to undermine our foreign policy.

[00:12:53]president recently talked about Chinese election interference in the US and and as we know there are many other ways in which China has influence within the US.

[00:13:01]>> Well, again what the president put out on Thursday that was a declassification of documents from our intelligence community. That's what he put out. He declassified intelligence assessments from our intelligence community. But your question was about communist influence. Yeah, the United States doesn't want to be a communist country.

[00:13:15]We're never going to be a communist country and we're not going to allow communist influences to undermine our politics or our society. Um, so I don't know what the inconsistency you're referring to is. It's very clear. I don't, you know, obviously we understand the Chinese system and other systems, but uh I can tell you our system doesn't want communism and and we're certainly not going to allow communist efforts to undermine American society and drive wedges into our country and and that's what we're seeing. You know, and by the way, one of the leading, you know, culprits of that for many years, the intellectual authors of particularly in our hemisphere is the Cuban regime, which which our report on Monday outline having a bigger impact.

[00:13:53]>> Did you express concern regarding the crash between China and the Philippine in the South China Sea?

[00:13:59]>> Did we discuss it with >> crash between China and the Philippine in the South China?

[00:14:04]>> Oh, yeah. It's been a high-profile issue. We've all seen it and uh you know it's a sort of an escalatory thing that that we think is very negative and u you know benefits no one and obviously we've reiterated in every meeting we've had that the US has a a treaty um arrangement with the Philippines. I believe we're the only treaty partner the Philippines has. We intend to live up to our treaty obligations and I think we've done so and we'll continue to do so with >> sense of escalation. How difficult is it to inspire confidence at these meetings such as the ones you've had today that the US can bring an end a quick end to the war in Iran?

[00:14:39]>> Um I'm sorry your qu what was the >> is it difficult to inspire confidence that the can swiftly and effectively end the war?

[00:14:45]>> No, I think everybody here understands that the US would love to reach a diplomatic settlement. We would love to reach an agreement if it were possible with Iran that would ensure they never have a nuclear weapon and obviously help stop them and and we'd love to have an agreement where they they say we'll no longer sponsor terrorism and we won't and we will not pursue a nuclear weapon or the things you need for a nuclear weapon. I think there's a lack of confidence is the lack of confidence that the Iranian regime will ever agree to any of those things. um that that would be the lack of confidence and the bigger lack of confidence should be that they've already made commitments very recently in a memorandum of understanding and within two weeks had violated it. So I think if there's any undermining of confidence, it's confidence that the Iranian system as it currently is is structured can reach an agreement. And so you you wonder whether they're serious about an agreement in the short term. But look, we always the president always prefers to negotiate and reach a deal on these things. And we're prepared willing to do that. We've tried to do that now for a year and a half, but we're also not going to sit by and let ships be blown up or Americans be attacked.

[00:15:44]>> If Iran refuses to negotiate seriously, who's this? If Iran refuses to negotiate, what is the next step? So, more sanctions, more military actions.

[00:15:53]Are you prepared for long-term confrontation by Iran?

[00:15:56]>> Well, the president has many options available to him if they continue to insist on not being cooperative. And I won't get ahead of the president on any of those, but uh I think Iran knows we have many options as well. Mr. President suggested that Iran should be added to Russia sanctions act. Is this kind of acknowledgement of Moscow growing alliance >> of what now?

[00:16:16]>> You know, are you guys acknowledging this growing alliance between the two because you're adding suggestion to add Iran to Russia sanctions act.

[00:16:23]>> Oh, I just think the president views as a legislative vehicle that's going to pass in Congress and provides him more authorities to impose higher economic costs on Iran if it's necessary to do so. So I don't think it has I don't I think it's just the bill that's moving and it's a sanctions bill and so it makes sense if you're going to add additional sanctions to do it to that bill.

[00:16:41]>> On Cuba is the goal still uh creating regime change through economic collapse or is the military option >> I think the goal is to have a Cuba where the people of Cuba can experience prosperity, safety, security and a better life moving forward the way you know Cubans are able to do all over the world when they leave Cuba. And um you know we're prepared to be you know very realistic about how you do that and and patient about how you know you in a serious process that leads to that and we've engaged them from time to time in that regard and they know where we stand on that issue and hopefully that's where it arrives. The fundamental Cuba fundamental problem Cuba has right now is two things. Number one is their economic system doesn't work because it that economic system doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. It's completely backwards. It just doesn't work and that's why people have to leave that country. And number two, it's they're no longer getting free oil from Venezuela. That's their biggest problem.

[00:17:29]They're not getting free oil from Venezuela, which by the way, they weren't using for their power grid. They were taking about 60% of the free oil they were getting from Venezuela, and reselling it for cash. So, the biggest problem Cuba has is that their regime is a disaster. Their economic model doesn't work, and the people who run the country don't know what the hell they're doing.

[00:17:48]Uh, all they're most interested in is holding on to power. They are afraid of economic prosperity because they are afraid that economic prosperity and economic liberties will they will lose control over people and that's always been the struggle they faced in recent times. But again, look, we've been in just today we began shipping over hund00 million of humanitarian assistance to Cuba which will be distributed by non-governmental entities on the ground.

[00:18:12]So um you know we we're willing to engage with them. We've engaged with them in the past. We'll keep talking to them about the kind of changes they can make. But this is 90 miles from our shores. This is a a government that has spent a regime that has spent the better part of 30, 40, 50 years destabilizing the region and and the movements that they've supported. And they've lost, I don't know, 10 to 15% of their population since 2021 because of how mismanaged the country is. We wanted to have a better future and we're prepared to do things that help them get there.

[00:18:40]But they have to decide they want to do that. The people that are in charge there right now just don't want to do it. It's unfortunate. administration talking about how they expected the just to follow up uh to see regime change or to see big changes in Cuba economic political by the end of this year.

[00:18:54]That's what a lot of them were saying.

[00:18:55]>> Who's a lot of who was saying that?

[00:18:57]>> Um people within the administration who work on this issue. Um >> like who because I work on this issue more than anybody else.

[00:19:02]>> They weren't predicting it but like there was an expectation that Cuba was so >> No, look guys, I mean you look this this global affairs are not like we're not a miniseries. Like you get in three episodes and it's over. I mean global affairs are difficult. You're talking about a system that's been in place, you know, since 1959. You're talking about a country that suffered tremendously because of poor leadership and a bad economic model. You're talking about a regime that survived all these years because they had a foreign sponsor, be it the Soviet Union or Ugo Chavez. They don't have that anymore. So, um, you know, it's it's the these are complex things that take time and obviously we're prepared to do what we can do to effectuate a positive change in Cuba because it directly impacts our national security. Cuba matters to us because it's 90 miles from our shores and it has a direct impact on our national security. Be it the things they've been involved in in the past, the countries they've aligned with in the past and currently or the threat of mass migration, which is always a a risk that you run when countries are as deeply destabilized as Cuba is. It's a failed state. It's a failed state. But uh I've never laid out any timeline as to what change would look like or when it would happen. I wish it was tomorrow because they deserve it. The people of Cuba deserve a better future.

[00:20:08]>> Mr. on your argument that Iran has violated the MOU. Isn't the MOU inherently flawed? Because in paragraph 5, it explicitly acknowledges Iran has power in the straight up moves whereas no other formal agreement before had acknowledged or recognized.

[00:20:20]>> No, I don't think that's what the MOU says. Certainly that's not the way we interpreted it from the very beginning.

[00:20:24]We understood that to mean no, we understood that to mean that they would ensure that no ships were being blown up and they chose to violate that. Theou does not give them the right to launch drones and missiles against commercial shipping vessels. that the MOU doesn't give them the right to do that and u they chose to do it >> power over the straits to begin with.

[00:20:42]>> Well, we don't acknowledge their power.

[00:20:44]But the only thing I tell you that no, they they have missiles and drones and they're launching them against ships.

[00:20:48]Theou doesn't say you're allowed to launch missiles and drones against commercial shipping in the in the Straits of Hormuz. Doesn't say that anywhere in theou you mentioned, Secretary China has been cooperative in some ways uh with the issue of Iran. What what were you? Um >> well, I'm not going to tell you about all of them, but I'm going to tell you one in particular, and that is they've been pretty clear that they don't support any tolling or restrictions on global shipping through an international waterway. And a statement like that from a country like China is important.

[00:21:17]>> How concerning is the Houthi threat um for the additional um uh shipments of energy for the Saudis? Are you worried that that could have >> Well, the Houthies have done that in the past, as you know, they've threatened global shipping there in the past. And you know, again, anything that restricts shipping through the Red Sea would be problematic for the same reasons that the State of Horm moves is problematic.

[00:21:36]So, we're watching that closely, that situation. We've been engaged with the Saudis on a number of times over the last week in regards to that threat.

[00:21:43]It's not a new threat. Um, but it but it uh it's one that's manifested itself in the past, but at the gist of that issue is the fact that the again Iran is in the middle of it. Talking about the troublemaker in the region, it's Iran.

[00:21:58]they chose, they decided to send direct flights from Thrron into Yemen carrying IRGC elements and others into the country. Um, and the Saudis responded to it and that's what's led to the situation we're now facing. Um, we hope it can be deescalated. Um, you know, obviously we're not particularly close to the Houthis, you know, in terms of being able to influence the decisions they make, but I think it's just another example. the Houthis, Hezbollah, the militias in Iraq, Hamas. This is what Iran spends its money on. It's not on its people. It's on supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing actors in the region.

[00:22:34]>> You mentioned a couple other countries should join the US to protect shipping in the street.

[00:22:42]>> Yeah, we've had conversations. There are countries that have expressed interest.

[00:22:44]Again, some of them have different ways they have to get there in terms of how it's authorized. Some need an international uh flag. you know, they need to do it under the mandate of an international organization. Some need to go through the legislative process. But the reason why I mentioned it to you is because if you look at where that oil and you look at where that energy is destined, it's not to the United States.

[00:23:02]It's to other countries. And so, um, plus I think every country in the world has an interest in protecting the right of shipping and international waters and freedom of navigation. I know you don't want to get into the details on the Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, but just most just most just broadly for people who have non-prololiferation concerns, for people who listen to US rhetoric about how dangerous it would be for another country to get a nuclear weapon, uh doesn't having a less than gold standard agreement in the Middle East run a risk?

[00:23:30]>> Well, I'm not going to opine directly on that agreement. We're going to put out at the if and when the moment is appropriate, we'll put out that in writing. We have to do it with Congress anyways. So we'll certainly do it publicly but suffice it to say the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation.

[00:23:49]>> Did you discuss that proliferation in the meeting with the Chinese or will you be bringing that up with uh Mr. Lavro tomorrow >> on nuclear? Yeah, just >> well, we didn't talk about it this time.

[00:23:58]We've talked about it in the past. And I think the president's point, and he's right, is in in the modern era, if we're going to have a nuclear arms restriction talks and arms control talks, it has to include the Chinese side because they're rapidly building their own nuclear capabilities. I would imagine the Chinese will argue that once they catch up to the US and Russia, then they'll enter these negotiations. But until then, I think that's been their historic argument in the past. But I think the president rightly points out that in the 21st century, if you're going to have true arms control, it has to be triparty. It has to be the US, Russia, but also China. But we didn't discuss it today.

[00:24:30]>> Are you satisfied with what China's China's been doing on that the fentanyl issue? It was the basis for a lot of tariffs that appear to be they keep getting struck.

[00:24:37]>> Well, we continue to talk to them about that issue and and um obviously I think we've made some progress that they've that some of the commitments that they made in um earlier this year they've begun to live by. Others are remain a work in progress and I know that as recently as today uh our law enforcement is visiting China and we've had their law enforcement come to Washington earlier in the year. So we remain engaged with them and ultimately we think in the long term this poses a threat to China as well. So I would hope that they would have an interest in being cooperative because in the end these same elements that are shipping fentanyl precursors all over the world will eventually do the same if they're not doing it already inside of China and their neighboring countries. So it's a work in progress but I think we've made some progress on that front. not entirely where we need to be.

[00:25:19]>> You met you met with Japanese foreign minister. Yes. And China has been economic and military pressure on Japan.

[00:25:27]So how do you see the the worsening of Japan China relationship of of >> how do you see the how do you view the the worsening?

[00:25:38]>> Oh the worsening. Yeah. Yeah. So look I mean obviously look we're very close to Japan. We understand what they're facing right now. are facing, you know, real restrictions, export controls and all sorts of things. And obviously, you talked about some of the aggressive measures that have been taken. You know, it's a troubling trend. Um, I don't think that, uh, China, Japan relations are at their high point right now. We're very close to Japan. We have treaty obligations with Japan. We have deep history of cooperation with Japan and that's going to continue. Um, but we we see it with concern. say after release after securing one Americans released from Iran last week, can Americans expect more detainees to come home, including uh color?

[00:26:17]>> I think they should all be home. I can't I can't I'm not going to predict or uh prognosticate what others we may see released, but we would like to see them all the wrongfully detained people released, not just from Iran, but all over the world. But it'll always be a priority in our conversations even when those restart.

[00:26:33]>> How's that jail working? There's so much hostilities literally between Iran and the United States. uh yet you the the channel to get wrongfully detained people out uh obviously just for some success. How is that happening amidst this warfare going out?

[00:26:49]>> Yeah, I mean look, I think that's a valid point. I mean it we were we were fortunate to see one instance in which one person who shouldn't have been there was was should not have been held there was released.

[00:27:00]We'd like to see more. Um it's a feature of our conversation with them. Um, it would obviously be easier to have that conversation if some of these other things weren't ongoing. But I think the fact that we're even detained to begin with speaks volumes as to the nature of the regime that we're dealing with, but yeah, I mean, it's not the most productive moment for her, but we're very fortunate and blessed that that that lady got out because she never should have been held in the first place.

[00:27:24]>> Mr. Secretary, is there anything you can tell us about the pending US arm sale to Taiwan?

[00:27:28]>> About I'm sorry. Well, there was one late last year and the other ones continues to be under review. So, as I said, we had the largest single sale ever in December. So, um it's not like nothing has happened, but since there's a there's a second pending sale, it's been notified to Congress, but it's still undergoing a review internally.

[00:27:46]>> Why is it under review? Your state department.

[00:27:47]>> Well, there's a lot of reasons. I know, but there's a lot of reasons why arms are under review under review, and that includes, you know, we have to look at our own stockpiles. We have to look at the availability of whatever it is we're promising to do. As you know, there's a huge effort on our part to restart our defense industrial base and restart its ability to produce. Um, people ask this all the time. I mean, you know, we made very extensive sales and have continued to make sales, for example, to Ukraine and before that they were actually we gave them to Ukraine. So, all these things have an impact and you're we do have our own domestic needs that have to be balanced with whatever commitments we make to other countries. So, it would be normal for a large sale to be reviewed in that context.

[00:28:23]>> One of the US mentioned you by name. I know you one of the tape brothers lawyers mentioned you by name. Do you have a plan to get involved with the extradition challenge that they have been >> mentioned me by name?

[00:28:34]>> Yes.

[00:28:35]>> Oh >> yeah.

[00:28:36]>> Um no look that extraditions I don't know the details of this particular case. I've been overseas but I mean I know who you're talking about. I just don't know the details of it. These cases have a process that they go through in the courts. Uh my understanding is that they're involved in that judicial process. And so that'll play itself out at this point and um there's no role for us to play at this moment or maybe ever in that regard. But it I'm not going to opine on something that's still working through a legal process.

[00:29:01]>> Is the US trying to get Syria involved in fighting security council?

[00:29:05]>> Hold on. Go ahead.

[00:29:05]>> Is the US trying to get Syria involved in fighting Hezbollah as the president has suggested?

[00:29:10]>> Well, the Syrian authorities are not big fans of Hezbollah, but what we've encouraged Syria to do is to focus on its own internal challenges that it has in sort of building a nation state. they still face pretty substantial challenges and threats from within. I mean, ISIS remains a threat there. Um, there are other areas of cooperation. As you know, we've removed them from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which we hope will lead to the sort of economic revival that the country desperately needs. Uh, Syria is a country that has a history of different communities for many, many years living alongside one another in peace. Shuni, Sunni, Shia, uh, Christian, I mean, it's a it's a country, Kurds. and uh but they have a huge project on their hands in that regard and so we've encouraged them to focus on that but we understand the threat that Hezbollah I mean Hezbollah is an enemy of this of this new government in Syria and they in many ways have sought to will seek to undermine that government over time and one of the best things Syria can do to secure its future is to secure their border with Lebanon so that we don't have weapons and arms coming back and forth across that border and in an effort to destabilize Syria. What were you asking? You know, many national security adviserss have put their stamp on the NSC bureaucracy, uh, Scorp, uh, big large models in the Obama administration. How do you want to be remembered for the stamp that you're putting on this? Are you streamlining things?

[00:30:27]>> The NC works for the president. And so the stamp we want to have is the stamp any NCS director should have. It's not my stamp. The NYSE is there to serve the president and each president will have different requirements for what they want the NYSE's role to be. And so to the extent I want a legacy with regard to the NYSE, it is an NYSE that was responsive to the needs of this particular administration and this president's style of leadership. He's very hands-on. He's very involved and u and our job at the NYSE is to coordinate the inter agency to execute on the president's policies. And that's how I view the NYSE. That's the way it should always be.

[00:30:59]>> Does it still have its convening power or has it happen so much that other agencies are starting to >> I think the NCS was way too large to begin with. 400 300 people. We don't need 300 people in the NSC to coordinate the inter agency. That's why you have career people and others at the State Department and at Treasury and at energy and at the department of war and in the intelligence agencies. And the job of the NYSE is to coordinate the inner agency so that it's executing on the president's foreign policy and developing options through the inter agency. So the expertise should reside in in the in the different agencies of government and the NYSE's job is simply to be the the the coordinator of that effort to deliver on the president's intent either to present the president options or to execute on the president's directive. That's what the NYSE is doing and I think quite successfully. You don't need a large bureaucracy to do that.

[00:31:48]>> There are Americans in China that have been wrongfully detained. Chen Chenolin and did you raise those today? Um >> well we always raise the case of Americans and we do so outside of these meetings as well and we do so through the embassy. We do it through multiple engagements.

[00:32:03]>> Do you expect that China should release them ahead ahead of the meeting?

[00:32:07]>> Well, we want them to I won't precondition the meeting in September to say that we raise these issues every time and we raise it not just I mean at the we raise it all the time. I mean we raise it through the embassy. We raise it through every engagement we have.

[00:32:18]Those are always a priority and we've had good news in the past and hope to have some good news in the future.

[00:32:22]Secretary was wrongfully detained. He mentioned Menzen, but he Midzen who was arrested right after the summit, right after the Trump scientist, >> he No, not the scientist. He was a researcher.

[00:32:32]>> Yeah, the research on geologist, >> not geologist. He was researching B Myanmar and he was arrested in Eunan province. But it's has he been classified as wrongfully detained by the state department?

[00:32:43]>> I don't believe so yet. But again, we have a process we go through to make those determinations. That doesn't mean he won't be. We just that process has just work work its way through. What's the overall approach secretary to Myanmar into potentially re-engaging with the Ha there or cooperating on issues like rare earth?

[00:32:58]>> What's the >> uh uh the the position or the the approach of of the Trump administration towards Myanmar and re-engagement with the government?

[00:33:06]>> Yeah. No. Um well, I would I don't have any announcement for you on that today.

[00:33:11]It's a policy that we're still developing in many ways. is obviously there's some conditions that have been shifting with regards to Myanmar or Burma uh over the last few months that we're keeping an eye on and see if there's opportunities to engage.

[00:33:24]Obviously, we still have many concerns about some of the things that have happened in that country historically and in the past and and there also remains a question of how receptive and open they are to a different relationship with the United States as well. So, these things are still being worked on, but I don't have any announcement on that today other than, you know, they were here and they were present today and I'm glad they were here and I said that in our forum. Uh but um it's not a place we have a long history of engagement in recent times.

[00:33:47]So um if an opportunity presents itself to do something that serves our national interest, we'll explore it. But um uh there's still uh some work to be done in that regard. Okay, guys.

[00:33:56]>> Can you confirm that the White House will be announcing a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia today?

[00:34:01]>> I don't have any news for you on that today, but it may be later today. Um once Washington wakes up or if there is an announcement, I promise you, you'll know about it. Okay. Thanks.

[00:34:10]>> That way. Yep. Yep. Thank you, sir.

[00:34:14]>> Jack's breaking up.

[00:34:17]>> Second time they're stealing all over me.