Department of State Participation in the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group Annual Meeting in Bologna, Italy
07/01/2025
Department of State Participation in the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group Annual Meeting in Bologna, Italy
07/01/2025 08:57 AM EDT
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Department of State Participation in the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group Annual Meeting in Bologna, Italy
Media Note
July 1, 2025
The Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG) will kick off its annual plenary meeting on July 1, 2025, in Bologna, Italy. Nuclear forensics, the scientific analysis of nuclear materials, deters nuclear terrorism and ensures public safety by identifying the origin and history of nuclear materials.
For nearly 30 years, the ITWG has united nuclear forensics scientists, researchers, and law enforcement professionals from more than 60 countries to make the world safer through the advancement of nuclear forensics best practices. Since co-founding the ITWG in 1995, the United States has continuously co-chaired both the full working group and all five ITWG task groups. The Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation has played a key role, including by serving as ITWG co-chair from 2014 through 2024 and by helping to coordinate participation by the United States’ world-class nuclear forensics experts.
This year, more than 80 experts from 30 countries will participate, sharing best practices, discussing new developments, and enhancing international collaboration in nuclear forensics exercises and capability development. With support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration, the ITWG is co-chaired by representatives from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the European Commission’s Joint Research Center, reflecting a strong commitment to international nuclear forensics cooperation.
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Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Italy Nuclear Safety, Safeguards, and Security Office of the Spokesperson
The Week at State: June 27 – July 3, 2025
07/03/2025
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June 27 – July 3
Hello from Washington, where we are getting ready to celebrate our nation’s 249th Independence Day.
Here’s what happened at State this week. ⤵️🦅 Secretary Rubio outlined the new America First approach to foreign aid.
🌏 We welcomed the Indo-Pacific Quad Foreign Ministers, deepening ties in trade and security with key partners.
✍️ The U.S. mediated a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bringing an end to a 30-year conflict.
Moving Toward Trade — Not Aid
As of July 1, USAID will officially cease to implement foreign assistance. Going forward, “foreign assistance programs that align with administration policies — and which advance American interests — will be administered by the State Department.” Secretary Rubio underscored that “from now on, our foreign assistance programs will be accountable to the American taxpayer.”
The Secretary detailed this new approach, exploring how it will advance our interests in key regions around the world by “prioritizing trade over aid, opportunity over dependency, and investment over assistance.” Read his announcement in full on our official Substack account.
Bolstering Indo-Pacific Collaboration
Secretary Rubio meets with Indo-Pacific Quad Foreign Ministers at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., July 1, 2025. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
On July 1, Secretary Rubio and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan met in Washington, D.C., for the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting and reaffirmed steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“These are very important strategic partners and allies of the United States, and together we have a lot of shared priorities — a lot of things we care about in the world,” remarked Secretary Rubio at the event. Key areas of mutual interest include: Maritime and transnational security
Economic prosperity
Critical and emerging technology
Humanitarian assistance and emergency response
Read the Ministers’ Joint Statement in full on state.gov.
U.S. Brokers Peace Breakthrough Between DRC and Rwanda
Rwandan Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe (left) and DRC Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner stand with Secretary Rubio at the peace-agreement signing ceremony between their nations. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)
On June 27, Secretary Rubio hosted representatives from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they signed a peace agreement at the U.S. Department of State.
Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said the agreement would bring “an end to a 30-year conflict and [set] both countries and their people on a path towards peace and prosperity.”
During the ceremony, Rwandan Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe and DRC Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner recognized the vital roles President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and the leadership of Qatar played in paving the way for this long-sought achievement.
News You May Have MissedPresident Trump announced the termination of Syria sanctions, opening new opportunities for the country to rebuild.
The U.S. Ambassador to NATO outlined the impact of NATO defense commitments on mutual security and U.S. jobs in a Substack article.
The record-breaking U.S.-Africa Business Summit yielded $2.5 billion in deals and commitments.
We celebrated the election of Rosa María Payá to serve as Commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
We unveiled the new "America First" rebranding initiative to ensure contributions made by the United States will be immediately recognized as American.
Looking AheadJuly 4: U.S. Independence Day
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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen
07/07/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen
07/07/2025 02:05 PM EDT
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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen
Readout
July 7, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen today in Washington. The Secretary welcomed the U.S.-Denmark bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement entering into force on July 1 and Denmark’s efforts to boost defense spending and military capabilities. They also discussed the importance of pursuing President Trump’s goal of ending the Russia-Ukraine war, advancing burden-shifting objectives within NATO, strengthening the Transatlantic defense industrial base, and stabilizing the situation in the Middle East.
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Bilateral Relations and Engagement Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Denmark Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State
Sanctioning Iran’s “Shadow Banking” Network of Illicit Oil Traders
07/09/2025
Sanctioning Iran’s “Shadow Banking” Network of Illicit Oil Traders
07/09/2025 11:11 AM EDT
Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson
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Sanctioning Iran’s “Shadow Banking” Network of Illicit Oil Traders
Press Statement
July 9, 2025
Today, the United States is sanctioning 22 entities with ties to a network spanning multiple jurisdictions involved in illicit oil trade on behalf of the Iranian regime. This network has used foreign front companies to transfer funds that sustain the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Tehran’s campaigns of terror, which undermine international peace and security and bolster their ballistic missile programs.
Iran uses front companies based in Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and Türkiye as part of this network to help sanctioned Iranian government entities generate revenue from the sale of petroleum and other commodities subject to U.S. sanctions. This action against Iran’s shadow banking network builds upon previous sanctions to implement National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 on February 4.
The United States will continue to deny Iran access to financial networks and the global banking system as long as Iran continues its destabilizing activities. We will promote accountability for those who seek to undermine international peace and security.
Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. For more information, please refer to Treasury’s press release.
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Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Economy and Trade Policy Illicit Financing and Sanctions Evasion Iran Office of the Spokesperson
Sanctioning Lawfare that Targets U.S. and Israeli Persons
07/09/2025
Sanctioning Lawfare that Targets U.S. and Israeli Persons
07/09/2025 02:13 PM EDT
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
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Sanctioning Lawfare that Targets U.S. and Israeli Persons
Press Statement
July 9, 2025
Today, I am imposing sanctions on Francesca Paola Albanese, the United Nations Human Rights Council “Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967,” pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order 14203, “Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.” Albanese has directly engaged with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without the consent of those two countries. Neither the United States nor Israel is party to the Rome Statute, making this action a gross infringement on the sovereignty of both countries.
The United States has repeatedly condemned and objected to the biased and malicious activities of Albanese that have long made her unfit for service as a Special Rapporteur. Albanese has spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West. That bias has been apparent across the span of her career, including recommending that the ICC, without a legitimate basis, issue arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
She has recently escalated this effort by writing threatening letters to dozens of entities worldwide, including major American companies across finance, technology, defense, energy, and hospitality, making extreme and unfounded accusations and recommending the ICC pursue investigations and prosecutions of these companies and their executives. We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty.
The United States will continue to take whatever actions we deem necessary to respond to lawfare, to check and prevent illegitimate ICC overreach and abuse of power, and to protect our sovereignty and that of our allies.
Albanese is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii)(A) of Executive Order (E.O.) 14203.
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Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Israel Office of the Spokesperson Sanctions and Designations The Secretary of State
Secretary Rubio’s Call with German Foreign Minister Wadephul
07/09/2025
Secretary Rubio’s Call with German Foreign Minister Wadephul
07/09/2025 06:01 PM EDT
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Secretary Rubio’s Call with German Foreign Minister Wadephul
Readout
July 9, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul regarding events in the Middle East and discussed ways to foster stability in the region and to ensure Iran does not develop or obtain a nuclear weapon. The Secretary highlighted Israel’s agreement to a 60-day ceasefire and the need for Hamas to release remaining hostages and accept the ceasefire deal.
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Bilateral Relations and Engagement Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Germany Office of the Spokesperson The Secretary of State
Press Briefing on updates to the CBP Home app with Harry Fones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
07/10/2025
Press Briefing on updates to the CBP Home app with Harry Fones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
07/10/2025 03:42 PM EDT
Harry Fones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
MODERATOR: Hello. Good morning. I am Natalia Molano, director of the U.S. Department of State’s Miami Media Hub. This is an on-the-record press briefing in English with simultaneous interpretation to Spanish. Please find the globe icon on the lower-left corner of your screen to select your language.
(In Spanish.)
We are privileged to have Harry Fones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He will discuss the updates to the CBP Home mobile application that offers illegal immigrants the opportunity to voluntarily depart the United States.
We will begin this hub call with opening remarks, and then I will moderate questions from journalists. PDAS Fones, you may begin your remarks.
MR FONES: Hi. Good morning, everybody. As mentioned, my name is Harry Fones; I’m the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Affairs. Thank you all for joining this call. I want to just start off with a couple of remarks from the top, kind of talking about the CBP Home mobile app.
So this got started – originally this was the CBP One app that was used under the previous administration to allow folks into our country. It was used to circumnavigate our immigration system. What we have done under the Trump Administration is turn this into an app to help people who are here illegally return home. So this was originally announced back in March, but the really big announcement and the thing that most people have really latched on to is our announcement on May 5th, which started the travel assistance and voluntary self-deportation process and program.
What this does is that if you are here in the United States illegally, you can download the CBP Home app, you can register on it, and the United States Government will provide you with a free flight home; you will also receive a $1,000 stipend that is paid once it’s confirmed that you have departed the United States. And this app is – gives other benefits too, and that’s one of the things we kind of wanted to get into today, is in June we had a really major update to the app to make it a lot more streamlined, a lot more user-friendly. But one of the other things that was announced with it is that we are now forgiving failure to depart fines. So these are fines for people who have not – have a voluntary departure order that they haven’t honored, and those are fines that can be up to $2,000 to almost $10,000. Or this would forgive if you have failure to comply with a final removal order fine, which can be up to $998 a day.
So that was actually a really big update that I don’t think a lot of people have seen, and that’s one of the things I really wanted to highlight today. And this kind of goes hand in hand because with those failure to depart fines, the Department of Homeland Security actually announced on June 27th that we are working with DOJ to make it easier and more efficient for us to actually administer those fines, and we’re streamlining the process through a federal rule. And so I think that that’s a message that should be out there, is that this app, the whole time we’ve been using it as the CBP Home app, is this is a great alternative to deportation by the United States Government.
So if you use this app, it does deprioritize you from ICE’s deportation list, and it can also help possibly preserve your ability to come back into the United States legally later. If you don’t use this app and you don’t depart the U.S., we are enforcing this nation’s laws when it comes to immigration now, and it could result in a deportation. So we’re really stressing that. This is a really good app. Like I said, really wanted to highlight the fact that we’re attempting to make this a lot easier for people to use it, and that we’ve kind of continued to expand the benefits of people using it.
So with that, that’s kind of my opening remarks, and I’m happy to take some questions.
MODERATOR: We will begin taking questions from journalists. Please be sure to write your name and affiliation in the user label to help us identify you. If you have a question, please raise your virtual hand. You may ask your question in English or Spanish. Once we call on you, we will unmute you, and then you must activate your audio on the platform. Today’s briefing is on the record, attributable to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Harry Fones.
We will start with a question from Yolanda Magaña from El Mundo in El Salvador. Okay, just one moment, we are – Yolanda Magaña, you are unmuted. Please, go ahead.
Okay, we will move on then to Ingrid Castellanos from Telecorporación Salvadoreña Canal 6 from El Salvador. Go ahead with your question on audio.
Okay, it seems like they did not activate their audio on their end. Okay, we also have Laura Artal from VPI Venezuela. Go ahead, Laura.
QUESTION: (In Spanish.)
MODERATOR: Yes, go ahead.
QUESTION: (In Spanish.)
MR FONES: I apologize. The translation does not seem to have come through for that question.
MODERATOR: Harry, did – please make sure you’ve selected the language in the globe icon.
MR FONES: Yep.
MODERATOR: Okay.
MR FONES: Yep, it is activated.
MODERATOR: Okay. (In Spanish.)
QUESTION: (In Spanish.)
MODERATOR: (In Spanish.)
QUESTION: (In Spanish.)
MR FONES: State, I apologize, my – the translator’s still not coming through and I have it activated.
MODERATOR: Okay. She is asking what is the profile of immigrant that should be using the CBP Home app, and then keeping in mind the population of Venezuelan citizens who lost their TPS rights —
QUESTION: (In Spanish.)
MODERATOR: And is the U.S. willing to facilitate flights for the Venezuelan nationals who are detained in El Salvador?
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR FONES: Got it. So definitely for the first part of this question that I can answer is CBP Home app is available to anybody who is illegally present in the United States. Also for people who have – if you were with TPS and that has been terminated, you are able to use that – in fact, we encourage you to use that – use this program to get back. As long as you are a noncriminal, you can use this program. Again, all you have to do is download the app, enter your information, which is a fairly easy process, and then a representative will be in contact with you and will help you book the flight – your flight to return home and walk you completely through that process. By using the system, you do get that $1,000 stipend once it is confirmed that you have exited the United States. So the population that is able to use this is extremely large, and it’s, again, why we are encouraging this, why we’re trying to make sure people know about it, because this a great tool if you do not have legal status in the United States that you are able to use this.
I don’t want to get ahead of any announcements for the secondary question, but again, if you are in the United States and you no longer have legal status, you should use the CBP Home app to facilitate your return back to your home country.
MODERATOR: Okay. Thank you. We have a journalist from Colombia, Diana Castrillón from Caracol. And I believe that she should be able to answer it in English – I’m sorry – to ask the question in English.
QUESTION: Hi, thank you for this space for us. This is Diana from Caracol Radio news, radio station in Colombia. We would like to know to-date if you know how many Colombians have applied to the CBP Home program, and in general how many migrants overall is the Trump Administration hoping to reach through this program and its benefits this year.
MR FONES: Yeah, so I do not have a specific breakdown by country. The general answer I can give for how many people have used this app is in the tens of thousands. So a fairly large population has downloaded and started trying to use the app. In terms of how many people we want to use it, again, don’t have a specific figure on this, but it’s – if you are in the United States and you do not have a legal status, you should use this app. So part of that is, is whatever that number is, is that there’s two alternatives of how you leave this country if you do not have legal status, and that’s you can use the CBP Home app, which again has a lot of benefits – that’s why we’re encouraging its use; or it will be that you will face deportation. So we want as many people as possible to use this because it is a much better alternative than the other option.
MODERATOR: Okay. Thank you very much. I also see Daniel Collín from Guatemala. Daniel, if you’re able to have your question in English; if not, I will translate it right after you ask it in Spanish. Okay. We’re not able to see Daniel Collín connected any longer.
And I see we have a question in the chat from Yolanda Magaña, and maybe I can just go ahead and read it in English – it’s in the chat for everyone to see – from Diario El Mundo in El Salvador. Her question is: “How many Salvadorian citizens have used the self-deportation method through the CBP Home app? And what do you recommend to Salvadorian citizens who are undocumented who have American citizen – U.S. citizen children? Do you think that the United States has legal control over the Venezuelans who are detained in El Salvador or has El Salvador – because El Salvador has said that they do not have legal jurisdiction over those Venezuelan citizens who are in El Salvador?”
MR FONES: Yeah, so definitely can touch on the first two for this. So once again, I do not have a country-by-country breakdown for this, but again, tens of thousands have used this app. One of the things with CBP Home is if you are here illegally, you can use it to also register children and the whole family can utilize the CBP Home app. And each individual who uses the app – so that would include the whole family – does get the benefits of this. So that would include that $1,000 stipend does apply. So if it’s a family of, let’s say, four, that family would receive a stipend of $4,000.
So again, if you do not have status in this country, we are encouraging you to use this app. Because again, we are enforcing the laws of this country. Deportations is a priority of this administration. This is a much better alternative, especially not just as there’s the financial benefit, but there is the benefit that this could help preserve a way for you to come back into the United States into the future, whereas if you are deported, you will not be able to return to this country.
MODERATOR: Okay. Thank you. I will now read a question from the chat as well, from Mario Pentón from Martí Noticias: “If immigrants want to use the CPB Home app but do not want to return to their country of origin, can they still do it, or use the app? For example, Cuban citizens, Venezuelan citizens, or Nicaraguan citizens?”
MR FONES: That is a great question. I will have to circle back. State, if you can get that question to me, I just want to make sure I have a correct – 100 percent correct answer on that.
MODERATOR: All right. We are going to see – we have for NTN 24, Roberto. If you can activate your audio, we’ll unmute you, and you can ask your question. Roberto Macedonio from NTN 24, it’s a regional outlet.
Okay. We’re not able to get his audio. So let’s see. We also have a question from Ecuador, Luis Miguel Barros here in the chat from TV Cuenca Digital. All right. The question in Spanish I’m about to translate is: “All of the persons, individuals who self-deport using the CPB Home app – will they be free from sanctions for having illegally entered and lived illegally in the United States?”
MR FONES: So every case – every case can be different, so I can’t give you an overall answer for that. But one thing, again, I will stress is that this is a – this shows a positive action towards rectifying coming into this country illegally, and so that’s something I do want to stress, is that this does help preserve that option; whereas, again, the alternative is deportation, there would be no option to come back legally into this country.
MODERATOR: Okay. And we’re going to go to a last question from the chat as well from Univisión. For the persons who already have the fees, the fees for not having left the United States after having a final order of deportation, can those people use the CPB Home app and still obtain the $1,000 departure bonus?
MR FONES: Yes. If you are being, again – if you have been assessed fines for failure to depart and you use the CPB Home app, those fines will be forgiven. So as long as you are eligible to use the CPB Home app – so again, if you have other criminal convictions, that could prevent you from using the app. But if your biggest concern is that you have been assessed fines for failure to depart, under the CPB Home program now you can use this app and those will be forgiven.
MODERATOR: Okay. Thank you so much. I see we are out of time, and that concludes today’s briefing. Thank you for your participation. As a reminder, an English audio recording and a transcript in English and in Spanish of this hub call will be available on state.gov. We will share that recording and those transcripts with all of the journalists who were part of this briefing today. If you have any questions, you may contact the Miami Media Hub at MiamiHub@state.gov. Thank you so much. Until next time, goodbye.
Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Kosovo’s President Osmani
07/10/2025
Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Kosovo’s President Osmani
07/10/2025 06:35 PM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson
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Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Kosovo’s President Osmani
Readout
July 10, 2025
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu. They discussed potential areas of future economic cooperation and expressed confidence that economic prosperity and cooperation will help move the Western Balkans away from the divisions of the past and promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
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Bilateral Relations and Engagement Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Deputy Secretary of State Kosovo Office of the Spokesperson
The Week at State: July 4 - July 10, 2025
07/11/2025
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July 4 – 10, 2025
We’re celebrating our country’s pioneering spirit as we begin a year of observances ahead of America’s 250th birthday.
Here’s what happened at State this week. ⤵️🇺🇸 Secretary Rubio traveled to Kuala Lumpur to participate in ASEAN meetings.
🕊️ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington.
🌍 President Trump hosted leaders of African nations at the White House.
A Strong ASEAN Partnership Is a Win for America
Secretary of State Marco Rubio participates in the ASEAN-U.S. Post-Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
On July 8, Secretary Rubio traveled to Malaysia, where he met with his counterparts in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
At the July 10 ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur, the Secretary emphasized the United States’ desire for “a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and that is prosperous” and that also promotes the safety, security, and prosperity of the people of the United States of America.
The Secretary also signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan on civil nuclear cooperation between the two nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Visits Washington
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu speak privately in the Vermeil Room before a dinner, Monday, July 7, 2025, at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
On July 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump at the White House, where, in addition to discussing Gaza and Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu presented a letter nominating the President for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also met with Secretary Rubio at Blair House, the official guesthouse for visiting heads of state.
President Trump Hosts African Leaders
President Donald Trump hosts a multilateral luncheon with African leaders, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in the State Dining Room. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
On July 9, President Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House, joined by our Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos.
"We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse,” the President told the gathered leaders, “and we're working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations."
News You May Have MissedThe State Department revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) following the Syrian government’s commitment to combat terrorism.
Secretary Rubio met with Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen to discuss transatlantic security.
In a USA Today op-ed, Secretary Rubio says President Trump’s NATO deal “reflects both fairness and strategic wisdom.”
Secretary Rubio sanctioned lawfare against U.S. and Israeli persons.
The United States sanctioned Iran’s “shadow banking” network of illicit oil traders.
Mexico partners supplied aid in Texas flooding rescues.
Looking AheadJuly 19: U.S. National Day at 2025 World Expo Osaka
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