New York Foreign Press Center Briefing on the “10th Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference: U.S. Objectives and Priorities.” August 3, 2022
Transcript
Hi good afternoon all and welcome to the New York Foreign Press Center for the hybrid briefing on the 10th nuclear nonproliferation treaty review conference. I would like to welcome our journalists who are attending in person as well as those attending on zoom. My name is Maggie Siddiqi and I’m the moderator. This briefing is on the record first. I will go ahead and introduce our speaker and after our speakers remarks we’ll go ahead and move on to question and answer session. We’re very pleased to welcome Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, undersecretary of State for arms control and nuclear nonproliferation and international security Ambassador Jenkins will discuss U. S. Priorities for the nuclear nonproliferation treaty review conference highlighting the treaty’s enduring role in reducing global dangers whether by facilitating arms control, safeguarding peaceful nuclear activities or deterring violations. And with that it is my great pleasure today to welcome under Secretary Bonnie Jenkins, thank you very much and good. Uh Good afternoon everyone. It is good to see you all here today in person and virtually especially since I understand this is the first open event here at the Foreign Press Club since Covid started. How are you all doing before we head into questions. I wanted to say a few words about why I’m here in New York this week. Today is the third day of the month long NPT review conference and I’m happy to say that we are off to a really good start my team and I have met with delegations from many countries exchanging our views and renewing our commitment to work together towards a successful outcome. Many delegations have told us that President Biden and Secretary Blinken remarks have been well received and that it was great to see the United States leading again on these issues. If it wasn’t clear before, it should be now the United States is back leading on arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament as is evident by the President’s statement and the secretaries and my presence here this week while here, I am meeting with allies, partners and others, talking about how we can work together to make progress on these very important issues that affect us all. My colleague, Ambassador Adam Shaiman, the President’s special representative to the N. P. T. Will be here with his team throughout the ref con representing the administration and working hard to achieve a successful outcome. So thank you very much for joining me today and with that I handed over to you again. Thank you so much. Ambassador Jenkins remarks, I will now go ahead and open the floor for questions for the participants here. Please raise your hand and I will call on you and we will go ahead and hand you the microphone when you have the microphone in your hands, please go ahead and announce your name and your media outlet kindly and for the zoom participants. If you have a question please raise your virtual hand and wait for me to call on you when you’re called on. Please enable your audio and video and please identify yourself by your full name and your outlet. You’re also welcome to type your question in the main chat room. So let’s go ahead and open up for questions. Great, excellent. You first start. Thank you very much. Dr Jenkins. Thank you Marvin. My name is Ahmed Fathi of 80 M. News. I will start get to the point straight ahead the discrepancy or not discrepancy. The complementing between the N. P. T. And the T. P. N. W. Which is uh many countries especially in the developing world are citing that there while there is a diligent work on the area of nonproliferation, there is hardly anything on the area of disarmament. What is the U. S. Position from the T. P. N. W. And what is the U. S. Planning to is the U. S. I’m sorry. Is the U. S. Planning to reduce its nuclear stockpile Whether unilaterally or within a multilateral frame, 90% of the nuclear warheads are between the us and Russia each possess about 6000 nuclear heads. What is the the the actions the divided administration is taking in that direction. Thank you. Thank you very much for the question. Um I just want to start out by saying that uh the US has already destroyed about 80% of our nuclear stockpile. Um and so I want to make sure that everyone understands that the us remains committed to all of its obligations under the npt including Article six. and so we have already in the past and working with Russia destroying a lot of our nuclear stockpile. So I just wanna make sure that that’s very clear. Um and on the T. P. And w specifically um I just wanna also say that we agree with the overall goal of the T. P. N. W. Parties to reduce and ideas for disarmament. We agree with that. It’s an obligation we have under the treaty. Uh the concerns that we have have to do with the process of uh what’s in the treaty. Um Some of our concerns about the fact that we have to look at the environment, the security environment that exists as we talk about disarmament. So we have been disarming and we continue to be obligated to do. So we are living up to our obligation in the treaty. We share the goals of the NPT of the T. P. And W. Parties about reduction of nuclear weapons. But we just have some concerns about the treaty itself. Um And also about not just about the concerns about looking at the security environment, but also some issues about the verification regime of it as well which doesn’t really have one. So um but one of the things that we do want to do in the next four weeks is work with all parties to the Npt. We want to find ways which we can work with everyone, we want to listen to what everyone has to say and find ways that we can have an agreed document at the end. Uh working through some of the things that we some of the differences of opinions that we have in countries we want to be very productive. Yes please. What about the threshold countries?
Uh since now Iran according to the director of the Iaea is galloping towards possessing a nuclear weapon. How how does the organization view the threshold countries?
Well the the Npt the T. P. N. W. Is applied to countries who are party to that. So I can’t really speak specifically about Iran and the and the T. P. N. W. Um What I can say is we of course are still very committed to the J. C. P. O. A. Um into the implementation having a J C. P. O. A. And being able to find a diplomatic solution to the situation in terms of J C. P O. A. And working with all parties to the J. C P O A. Um But in terms of how Iran views the T. P. N. W. Or or another threshold state works with the T. P. A. W. Um you know, I’m not quite sure you know, so they would have to speak to that because I can’t really, I don’t really, I can’t really say anything about their perspectives on that and how they relate to T. P. N. W. Sir. Um Please go ahead and state your name and your media organization and ask your question. Ambassador, thanks for taking part in this mike wagon I’m with I 24 news. I’ve got two questions for you. Number one you mentioned you wanted to see a successful outcome out of this review conference. If you can please define what you feel would be a successful outcome. And the second part of the question is um as negotiations are about to resume in Vienna on Thursday, the State Department, the Biden administration has said innumerable times. We want to get Iran’s nuclear program back in the box but really can’t offer a coherent definition as to what that means. Can you provide some clarity as to what putting the program back in the box means at this point in time. Thank you. So in terms of what a successful outcome, I think what we all would like to see is a consensus document. I think that if you ask most countries and what we’ve been hearing uh in statement statement made by countries is everyone seeks a consensus document. Um but there’s also a recognition that there are challenges right now in the npt. And so one of the keys in the next four weeks is to find exactly how we can have that consistent document when we know that there are challenges. I think the most important thing is that countries come to the tables in the next four weeks ready to find ways to be pragmatic um to work uh work uh together to find ways that we can get to that successful outcome. So that is how we define it. Um However, I think what’s also important is what happens in these four weeks. So of course the final document is what gets the most light, but these are four weeks, which is an provides an opportunity for country to talk to each other and share ideas and thoughts about uh their approaches um discuss where there are differences of opinion. Um Hopefully people countries will come to the table ready to do that. So, you know, what is success?
Success is um uh document that’s that’s a consensus. Um However, you know, we do want to find ways that we can work with countries uh in the next uh in the next few weeks, you know, there’s joint statements that we can do other joint documents. So I really see that these four weeks are a way to really celebrate. We affirm the npt Um 50 years anniversary. Um look at the challenges. Be honest about the challenges, be upfront about the challenges and then find a way that we can work together um to see how we go to the next the next 50 years. Um As for what back in the box means, I would defer to others, like rob Malley and others who are working on on the issue exactly exactly what that means. Um You know, I I understand the question uh and and watching and seeing what’s happening in terms of uh the enrichment, but how we specifically define it, I would prefer to defer to two others on that. Thanks. Thanks. Now I’m gonna go ahead and turn to our zoom audience um Alex Cefalu, why don’t you go ahead and unmute yourself?
State your full name and your media organization, please before asking the question. Yes, thank you so much. And thank you Mr. Jenkins for briefing us today. This is Alex Raffaello from just independent news agency to run, The secretary made it clear that Russia has been using Ukrainian power plant as a nuclear shield. So my question is about accountability, I realized that the review conference is not necessarily an enforcement mechanism, but I have to ask you, how can you hold Russia to account. Thank you so much. Um I think what’s important to understand in this situation is that this is a very fluid situation right now with with the nuclear power plant, especially for Asia, and the thing to really focus on is the fact that right now we don’t have the Iaea does not have access to that site. Uh there’s concerns about safety and um and also safeguards uh getting an understanding of what’s happening at that site is really the most important thing and that situation remains right now. And so the real focus and the real question really should be, you know, how do we get access to that, because that is that is fundamental uh to all of this is making sure that we can understand what’s going on at the site to make sure that there is safety and there is uh and there’s safeguards uh that we are actually implementing there and go ahead, sir, uh, hand you the mic and please go ahead and state your name and your media organization for asking. Thank you. My name is thank you Newspaper Japan. And my question goes to the outcome document and approaching nuclear power plant and the nuclear threat. So, are you going to seek outcome documents which criticized or mentioned content, uh nuclear threats and and nuclear power plant attacks?
And namely Russia. This is my question. Yeah, I think what’s gonna happen is um for the next four weeks, you know, as I said, you know, an outcome document consists of the document is important, I think, you know, and we will be clear about um, you know, Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Very clear about how their nuclear saber rattling is certainly uh creating problems in the NPT in terms of, you know, some of the overall goals that we’re trying to achieve with the NPT. Um, and then it will include discussions as well on nuclear power plants and the need to ensure the safety and security of nuclear power plants. So whether that will be in the final document, I can’t say because that’s going to be negotiated in the next four weeks, but it’s surely in everyone’s attention span right now, particularly we’re worried about the safety and the safeguards there, I’m gonna go ahead and turn towards our zoom audience. Uh AJ Park, please go ahead and ask you a question, please unmute yourself and also state your media organization please. And your name. Hi, thanks for ambassador. Um my name is Park from voice of America. My question today is about nonproliferation challenge around the Korean peninsula is you know, we have seen recently the developed nuclear program of North Korea while the nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang is going nowhere. In addition, we’ve also seen what is happening at this moment around the Taiwan with the increasing growing concern about increasing Chinese coercion in the region. So I think it leads South Korean people to worry about its nuclear deterrence more and more. For example, according to the latest poll, over 70% of the South Korean population expressed their support for having its own nuclear power. And it suggests that South Korea is coming to kind of realization that it needs its own deterrence. And also I heard that there is a fear that the US is influenced by the argument that it will not trade the Los Angeles and san Francisco for so in the case of the crisis. So, you know, some South Korean people even argue that, look, the of course Australia is supposed to have a nuclear powers of mind, why not for South Korea. Of course the United States reaffirm is come to provide in South Korea with extended deterrence. But you know, I think the more and more people think there is not enough in South Korea. So my question is, do you have any other way to address South Koreans growing concern about you know, deterrence, you know, other than reaffirming the U. S. Nuclear umbrella?
Thank you, thank you for the question. Um I guess that I guess the issue is I mean I just want to say just you know, the the U. S. Remains very committed to the to the deterrence and extended deterrence uh for South Korea. So maybe, I don’t know if we need to say it in a different way if we need to um say it in a different forum, but I just want to make sure you are aware and and and your your your your your colleagues and everyone uh in South Korea is aware that we are seriously uh search committed to extended deterrence and that has not changed at all. Um So I’m not sure. Um I mean there may be other ways that we can reaffirm that um to make sure that the South Korean uh South Koreans are confident that that is what we are doing, but we do want to reiterate that we are committed to our extended deterrence into that commitment to South Korea. Um and also want to mention that, as you probably know, you know, the administration has been very clear that we are open to talking to North Korea. Um and basically anywhere, you know, anytime that they want to engage with us to talk about these issues, we are ready to do so and and of course working closely with you, your government uh and Japan as well, you know, in such and such and such an effort. Unfortunately as you know, they have not come back to us ready to have any kind of discussions, but we remain open for that as well. Um so, you know, we we are still committed to uh South Korea for our deterrence. We are open to uh to dialogue with North Korea on the way forward and we very closely want to work with our allies in the region as well on august what I will say is that that’s a a kind of a unique relationship right now that we have with Australia. Um and the U. K. Um but to reaffirm for those who listen and are also concerned, um the US and the UK and Australia all remain very committed to our nonproliferation goals are non-preparation obligations under the NPT as I know, the South Korea and Japan as well. Thank you if you don’t mind, I have a question. Yeah. And so if so what is the, you know, Biden administration stance on that?
You know, some demand from South Korea regarding redeployment of the tactical nuclear power in Korea I think I believe there was also discussion from you know, also some sort of demand regarding this from the, you know, Japanese people. So what is the Biden administration stands on that?
You know, I’m gonna have to defer that because I don’t I don’t feel like I have all the information I need to respond confidently to that question. So what I would like to do is get back to you on that. Thank you. Um Any questions on the floor?
Please go ahead, ma’am, please state your name and your media organization. I’m Cody Yoshida from Nick, Japanese business newspaper. I wanted to ask, you mentioned briefly about the outcome document, but what specifically would you like to see in this outcome document?
And also um previously when we thought that this meeting was going to be held in January, the P five had issued a joint statement. We have not seen a statement like that this time around. How do you um plan to navigate the tensions growing within the P five. Um Well, there’s for obvious reasons there’s no P five statement, but there is a P three ministerial statement um that I would encourage you to to to reference. Um so the and there’s other P three documents that we have come out with in terms of the P five right now for obvious reasons, we don’t have a P five dialogue because of what, you know, the situation Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Um, so that’s not going forward. However, you know, the P five exists and hopefully one day, uh we were able to get back to that uh when, you know, when Russia acts in good faith and does what, you know, we think it needs to happen uh in in terms of their their invasion of Ukraine. Um the what was the second question?
I’m sorry, What would you like?
What would the U. S. Like to see in the outcome document?
Um what I what I think we could say on on that point at this moment, because we’re at the very beginning stages of the four week process. What we would like to see is a a consistent document that really acknowledges the challenges that we’re facing. Um we don’t want to document um that we don’t feel is going to be reflective of current situations. Um however, we will, it’s it’s a process of negotiations, the process of the late nights and the, you know, the weekend work that all of our colleagues and and and folks are gonna be doing here uh to figure out what that document is gonna look like. But as I said before, there’s a number of challenges that we have to address. Um, and we need to find a way that we can address those challenges and at the same time, get a document that can be agreed to by everyone Any I know, sir, you had your hand up from second. Please go ahead and ask your question and please state your name and media organization again. Thank you. Thank you again. KTN News with regard to the final document in 2015. There was no final document adopted and it was the rumor was that it was because of the close regarding the WMD Free Zone in the Middle East. Is the us willing to consider that or that is a steadfast position that the U. S. Is not going to support it in favor of Israel who is not a member to the NPT treaty. Um Well I don’t want to get in front of what might end up in the final document. But what I what I will say is that you know, we have been uh working and with countries in the region in terms of we know the interest and concern and desire for Middle East weapons free Zone. Um and we basically our position is we want countries in the region to be able to talk to each other and find a way that everyone can be involved in those conversations. Um and so we have asked that you know that process move forward in that direction. We certainly hope that it is not an issue that will be a divisive one. That will create a A situation where we will not have a consensus document. I mean that among another, a number of other issues as I mentioned. Um so we recognized that that was an issue in 2015. That was an issue that created some problems in terms of the final document. And that’s why, you know, we need to work uh from day one or day three um on language for the final document so that we can make sure that we address these challenges. And that’s one of them that I’ve been talking about the challenges that exist. Um that we could address those challenges. And of course T. P. And w is another one that you raised and we gotta figure out how we address that as well. Great, I’m gonna go ahead and turn over to our zoom audience. Um Hi john Ceo, could you please go ahead and unmute yourself?
Name Please state your full name and your media organization before asking your question. Thank you. Hi, my name is I’m from Radio Free Asia. I have a question about North Korea. Um you have tweeted recently that you met with Rok Deputy Foreign Minister Han and said that PSM X is providing tangible results in combating Dprk sanctions evasion. But could you provide further explanation on this?
Because North Korea has been constantly viol the sanctions and still managed to develop their nuclear weapons. Um and also on the same topic. What more could we do to bring North Korea back to the NPT and ultimately make them abandon its proliferating programs as concerns over North Korea’s seventh nuclear tests continues. Yeah, I think um on the first question about the work that we do, um uh on the sanctions, I think the important thing to keep in mind is, you know, this is a this is an ongoing process in terms of trying to the sanctions that that we have and the sanctions that some that’s violated sometimes. Um but it’s an effort that we’re committed to and it’s an effort that we need to keep doing. Um and so we have been successful in many of the work that we do on these issues, but but the fact that we’re not 100% should not be seen as seeing that it’s not it’s not working not only that, but we have a very good relation with South Korea because of the ways in which we work with them on many issues. Uh and this is also a way that we’re strengthening our bilateral relationship in terms of North Korean issues. So, I think that there’s there’s many factors that happen because of this relationship that we have and in many ways in which we’re working with them on many different facets in terms of bringing um Dprk back into the NPT. Um, you know, like I said at this point, they won’t they won’t even have a conversation. So, I think before we can do that, we have to at least have a conversation with them if they don’t want to come back on their own. And and we’re not able to really have a conversation with them on these issues. It does limit our abilities. That doesn’t mean we’re giving up. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to keep working on this. That doesn’t mean we we are not committed to denuclearization. It just means it’s a challenge. Uh and it remains a challenge and we have to continue to find ways to deal with that um and continue to push diplomacy as a way in which we can do this. And also continuing to work with our allies and partners in the region. Any questions on the floor create, I’ll turn back to our zoom audience. Uh, face Paracha. Could you please unmute yourself, state your full name and your media organization before asking your question. Thank you. Thank you. This is the first I’m representing pro Pakistani and the largest online publishing organization in Pakistan. So, um, Mr. Jenkins, thank you very much. I understand it’s been 50 years of nonproliferation treaty. And only five countries are members. What are the chances of Pakistan and India joining MPT?
Or are they being urged to join this treaty?
Yeah. So, yeah, 50 years. We have over 180 countries who are party to it. We have five countries that are considered uh nuclear weapon states because they were nuclear weapons possessor states at the time. The treaty was uh was um negotiated in the 70s. Um, in terms of uh, you know, we would, you know, we have a lot of exchanges with with Pakistan and India in many respects, so many issues. Um and so while it would be great to see them a part of the of the treaty, of course this is a decision that they have to make in their sovereign capacity. Um but we continue to work with them on many issues and have discussions and dialogue on many things uh including on nuclear issues. So this is a decision that they have to make. You know, and of course, we continue to espouse the value of the NPT. Um the importance of the NPT to nuclear nonproliferation regime. Um and we talk about our commitment to it and are, you know, all the all the obligations within the treaty. Um but ultimately, you know, this decision that they will have to make and we can just, you know, uh continue to inform about all the values of being a party to the Npt. Right?
Thank you. Thank you Melissa. Could you hand the mic to gentlemen on the extreme right. Yeah. So please go ahead and state your name, sir and you meet your organization and then ask your question again. It’s mike wagon. I’m with I 24 news. You mentioned um hopeful regional approach utilizing your allies and diplomacy is to pull North Korea back into a conversation. The U. S. Is not get reengaged with Syria, another problematic nuclear country, but regional allies are starting to re-engage with Syria again, is there possibly a similar approach in that avenue?
Um I’m not sure what the thinking is on that particular issue. What I will say is it’s uh it’s it’s an issue that is on our minds. That is one of the things we have to talk about and think about the next four weeks in terms of you know, the language and what what shows up um on regarding the NPT final document. But you know, we are engaging of course many countries in the region and you know, whether we take that approach, I will have to wait and see. So. Great, I’m gonna go ahead and turn to our zoom audience again, Mia Tanaka, could you please unmute yourself, state your name and your media organization and ask the question please?
Mia, go ahead. I think that’s probably a microphone issue with Mia. Um Any other questions on the floor?
Great. So we’ve received a few pre submitted questions um undersecretary Jenkins. I’m gonna go ahead and ask on behalf of those people. So this is a question from Asahi Shimbun from Japan and the question verbatim is, can you please clarify the U. S. Position on the T. P. N. W. And also do you think anything related to the T. P. N. W. Should be included in the final documents?
Uh yeah this relates to the earlier question on the T. P. N. W. I think I’ve pretty much answered that for the most part. Um in terms of our concerns?
Uh you know, our agreed with the underlying goal um of of the countries who are party to the T. P. N. W. But just a difference in terms of, you know, How we see the process. I mean the best way to say it is a difference in how we see the process for disarmament and and the fact that we have to take into account the security environment in which we’re in. Um but that we have reduced 88% of our nuclear stockpile. So thank you for that. Um any additional questions on the floor?
Any yes ma’am. Go ahead. Please state your name and your media organization. Hi Cody Yoshida from Nikki again, I was wondering if you could elaborate, You mentioned that in the outcome document, you wanted the challenge is to be included. You mentioned the T. P. N. W. In the Middle East, a nuclear free zone. Are there any other challenges that you would specifically like to see?
Um Well I think we talked about a number of other ones. You know, we talked Iran, we talked Syria Dprk like we’ve mentioned. So these are these are challenges that are we’re dealing with in terms of the NPT and at at at at a time with the 50th anniversary, we have a chance to look at where we are. You know, and and what does the future bring and how do we deal with these issues?
So how they are reflected in what way in the final document is yet to be seen?
What the only thing I will uh the only thing I will say is we just want a final document, a consistent document that’s reflective of some of the challenges that we have today and of course um are are wonderful negotiators in the next few weeks will figure out exactly how that how these things are reflected in the final document. In what way and you know what might be in what might be out. We just we just want a final document that’s gonna reaffirm the npt. We affirm the importance of it to the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Uh and to show that we have been we are ready to tackle the next 50 years and that we have we have we have made some major achievements. So we have some challenges and then the specifics within that in terms of how we deal with the challenges is yet to be discussed. Any other questions on the floor. I’m gonna go ahead and turn to Alan Ball Kati on zoom please. Alan go ahead and state your name and your media organization before asking your question. Thank you so much for making the time for us. My name is Ellen Bucatini correspondent of Ria Novosti news agency Madam Jenkins have two short questions please. First. What hinders the world to become fully free of nuclear weapons on your opinion?
And the second place following up on the statement by President Biden when the U. S. Will resume the strategic dialogue with Russia to discuss the successor agreement for New Start treaty. Thank you. Um Okay so what’s hindering us becoming a world free of nuclear weapons?
Um As I said, you know we are making progress towards that. Um the two largest nuclear weapon possessor states have been reducing their nuclear stockpiles. Um this is a process that we’ve been doing for several years. We hope to have another treaty that you reference the new start treaty which is going to be expiring in 2026. We want to get back to the table and start having dialogue with Russia. Um as soon as they begin to act in good faith regarding their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Um we don’t have a specific time when that’s gonna happen. But that’s the parameter which we’re looking at at this point. So we don’t have anything more on that point. Um But like I said as well as I said about the T. P. N. W. What holds us back is you know we have the desire we have the division but we have to also deal with the security environment in which we’re living in. Um And we also have to look at the fact that we don’t want um you know there’s other countries that are actually developing more weapons?
So we are in a position now where there’s a desire I know in the US part and other other parts to get to that goal of a world without nuclear weapons. But it has to take into account the security environments which were in and we have to keep working on it um, in that process and keep our eye on the ball but recognize that we have to take into account current situations. Thank you. Ambassador Jenkins, um, Pearl matted. Go ahead and please mute yourself and ask your question. Please also state your media organization. Thank you. Thank you very much. And good afternoon. Um, Ambassador Jenkins, it’s a pleasure to speak to you again. My question is regarding Africa and nuclear power. So I’m wondering firstly on Uganda, have you been following uh Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit to Uganda where he did meet with President Museveni and the discussion of possible um you know, collaboration with Russia. Uganda is asking for nuclear capability. And to start they’re looking to get their first nuclear nuclear power plant. And also separately, Iran has reportedly applied to the bricks to join china Russia South Africa, brazil and the other countries, are you monitoring that situation for any possible nuclear uh, you know, development trends in that area. So I’m really interested to find out your views on these two things. Organization, kindly. Thank you. She’s with 98.7 South Africa. Thank you for the question. Um yeah, I mean we are following um you know, Russia’s discussions about nuclear power around the world and in Africa um been following also China’s interest in promoting nuclear power. Um The one thing I will say about that is, you know, we we always have had a little concern about um some of this work because one of the things that we have been promoting strongly in us is that nuclear power bi uh the nonproliferation um abide by nonproliferation um principles Safety and Security. Uh we’ve had concerns about countries that um that not with countries but with uh some of the uh some of the work nuclear power uh that Russia and china has been has been engaging in. Um and so we’ve had concerns about that for for for a while. And so it is concerning uh to us when we are hearing about Russia and china engaging countries on nuclear power issues because we also want to make sure that what’s being done is going to be focusing and and be nonproliferation um as as paramount and also safety security. So um just short, I’ll say we are following it um you know, of course these are decisions that countries make on their own sovereign countries about who they want to engage with. Um but like I said, we are we are following it um and we also are looking to engage countries as well, some of the things that we’re interested in. So I think I’ll just leave it at that. Great, thank you any additional questions on the floor. Great. So there is one more question that was pre submitted um by a journalist from Iran International. Her name is Sameera Garai and essentially it is are there any concerns at the moment about any violation of the NPT committed by Iran?
If yes will USA take the matter to its hand or will trust uh I ea to resolve the issue. Um I think we’ll just, just on this point I’ll just say you know, we just we have we have expressed concerns about Iran uh that’s in our compliance report. Um So we have had concerns about Iran and and NPT obligations. Um The I. E. A. As you know performs the job of safety security safeguards. Um They had a very important role in the J. C. P. O. A. In terms of being able to be on the ground to be able to do inspections actually will choose inspections that they’ve had in any other country. Um So the I. E. A plays an important role in doing that um and we continue to to play that role. Hopefully, you know, if we have another J. C. P. O. A. Things to be discussed, there’s still safeguard issues that are of concern regarding what’s been happening in Iran. So yes the J. C the Iaea plays an important role in that um in terms of the future uh and and currently and what they do so yeah well if there are no other questions on the floor or on zoom, I’m gonna go ahead and conclude this meeting this briefing. Rather thank you so much everyone on behalf of the New York foreign Press center. I’d like to thank under Secretary Bonnie Jenkins for being with us. Really appreciate you. Enlightening us. Today’s briefing was on the record. I will share a transcript with anyone everyone who is participating today and it will also be posted on our website. F p c dot state dot gov. Thank you all and have a wonderful day.