On September 28, 2018, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan hosted a ministerial meeting on advancing responsible state behavior and deterring malicious activity in cyberspace. The Deputy Secretary led a discussion with over 20 countries on ways to confront cyber threats while maintaining the many benefits that free people and free nations have come to enjoy from the Internet. He also raised re-starting expert-led international talks on responsible state behavior at the United Nations.

The Deputy Secretary emphasized that responsible state behavior in cyberspace should be guided by international law, adherence during peacetime to non-binding norms of state behavior, and implementation of practical confidence building measures. At the same time, the Deputy Secretary said that there must be consequences for states that act contrary to this framework. He called upon participants—and all nations—to work together to hold states accountable for their malicious cyber activity.

The meeting reflected the United States’ ongoing efforts to build international cooperation in order to promote and maintain an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure cyberspace.

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The President and I have no more important priority than the safety and security of American citizens, including our diplomatic, military and other officials serving abroad.

Threats to our personnel and facilities in Iraq from the Government of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, and from militias facilitated by and under the control and direction of the Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani have increased over the past several weeks. There have been repeated incidents of indirect fire from elements of those militias directed at our Consulate General in Basrah and our Embassy in Baghdad, including within the past twenty-four hours.

I have advised the Government of Iran that the United States will hold Iran directly responsible for any harm to Americans or to our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere and whether perpetrated by Iranian forces directly or by associated proxy militias. I have made clear that Iran should understand that the United States will respond promptly and appropriately to any such attacks.

Given the increasing and specific threats and incitement to attack our personnel and facilities in Iraq, I have directed that an appropriate temporary relocation of diplomatic personnel in Iraq take place. We are working closely with our partners in the Government and Security Forces of Iraq to address these threats. We look to all international parties interested in peace and stability in Iraq and the region to reinforce our message to Iran regarding the unacceptability of their behavior.

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The Department of State released today Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VIII, Public Diplomacy, 1969–1972.

This volume documents the public diplomacy efforts of the Richard M. Nixon administration during Nixon’s first term in office. A major emphasis of the volume is the role the United States Information Agency (USIA) played in presenting U.S. foreign policy objectives to the world during a time of social change within the United States and how USIA attempted to reach new audiences, specifically young adults. The volume chronicles the development of new structures within USIA, including the Young Officers’ Policy Panel. It also illustrates how USIA and the Department of State pursued public diplomacy against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the President’s 1972 trip to China, and the 1972 Moscow summit meeting. Additional documentation chronicles the Department of State’s cultural exchange activities, including the administration of the Art in Embassies program and the Cultural Presentations program.

This volume was compiled and edited by Kristin L. Ahlberg. The volume and this press release are available exclusively on the Office of the Historian website at https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1917-72PubDipv08. For further information, contact history@state.gov.

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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has made the determination to place Consulate Basrah on ordered departure. U.S. Embassy Baghdad will continue to provide full consular services to for those in and around Basrah. The Department’s updated Travel Advisory is available at Travel.state.gov. We remain strongly committed to supporting Iraqis in the southern provinces and throughout the country.

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:‎

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met today with Irish Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Coveney, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The two reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the United States’ and Ireland’s already strong bilateral ties across a wide range of issues, including the status of Brexit talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and the importance of supporting Middle East peace efforts. Finally, the Deputy Secretary thanked Ireland for its ongoing humanitarian efforts in Syria.

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