Speeches & Statements Archives - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye https://tr.usembassy.gov/category/speeches/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:50:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Sanctioning Facilitators of Iran’s Petroleum and Petrochemical Trade https://tr.usembassy.gov/sanctioning-facilitators-of-irans-petroleum-and-petrochemical-trade/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:50:21 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25937 The post Sanctioning Facilitators of Iran’s Petroleum and Petrochemical Trade appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Sanctioning Facilitators of Iran’s Petroleum and Petrochemical Trade

Press Statement

Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson

July 30, 2025

Today, the United States is taking decisive action to disrupt the Iranian regime’s ability to fund its destabilizing activities, including its nuclear program, support for terrorist groups, and oppression of its own people.

The Department of State is imposing sanctions on 20 entities for their involvement in the trade of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products and is identifying 10 vessels as blocked property.  These actions target a terminal operator, vessel management companies, and wholesale buyers that have collectively facilitated the export and purchase of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.

The Department is designating multiple vessel management companies whose tankers have engaged in illicit shipments and other deceptive shipping practices, endangering global trade flows.  The Department is also designating a China-based operator of a crude oil and petroleum products terminal that has repeatedly accepted Iranian-origin crude oil, including from U.S.-designated tankers.  Additionally, multiple companies in India, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, and Indonesia are being designated for their significant sales and purchases of Iranian-origin petrochemical products.  As President Trump has said, any country or person who chooses to purchase Iranian oil or petrochemicals exposes themselves to the risk of U.S. sanctions and will not be allowed to conduct business with the United States.

Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is designating over 115 targets in the vast shipping empire and sanctions evasion network of regime insider Hossein Shamkhani, the son of the Supreme Leader’s political advisor Ali Shamkhani.

The United States will continue to impose maximum pressure on the Iranian regime, in support of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, until Iran accepts a deal that advances regional peace and stability and in which Iran forgoes all aspirations of a nuclear weapon.  Today’s actions underscore our resolve to target those who enable Iran’s illicit oil and petrochemical trade and to cut off the regime’s means of funding its destabilizing activities.

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Ambassador Thomas J. Barrack’s Statement on Independence Day https://tr.usembassy.gov/ambassador-thomas-j-barracks-statement-on-independence-day/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:25:41 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25771

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Ambassador Thomas J. Barrack's Statement on Independence Day

As we mark the 249th birthday of the United States of America, it is a moment to reflect on the values that define our nation and the message we share with the world. Freedom is never free, and the journey to preserve and promote it requires constant vigilance, patience, and cooperation. 

President Trump has emphasized a vision for America that transcends conflict, stating his legacy will not be about winning wars but about stopping them—and, even more importantly, ensuring that wars do not happen. His goal is to leave behind a legacy of peace and unity, a vision that has not been seen in centuries. This aspiration serves as a reminder of the importance of tolerance, diverse perspectives, and the daily fight to uphold the freedoms we cherish. 

Independence Day is a celebration of America’s journey from its beginnings to its present. It is a reminder of the challenges faced and overcome, from the Revolutionary War to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the 12 years of struggle before the establishment of a constitution and the election of the first president, General George Washington. These milestones highlight the patience and perseverance required to build a nation. 

This historical perspective offers valuable lessons for the world today. For example, Syria, with its new government, is navigating the complexities of establishing a constitution and defining its governance. Similarly, Türkiye, celebrating the 102nd anniversary of its Republic, is reflecting on its own journey of growth. These examples underscore the importance of patience and cooperation in building lasting institutions and fostering unity. 

As we celebrate America’s birthday, we are reminded of the hope and aspirations that unite us, not only as Americans but as members of a global community. In the Middle East and Near East, and across the world, the principles of patience, tolerance, and cooperation remain vital. The hope and aspirations of everybody around us, including in this very complicated, amazingly rich civilization that we live in in the Middle East and the Near East. Freedom is never free, and it is earned every day, one soul at a time. 

On this special day, let us honor the legacy of peace and unity, and reaffirm our commitment to these values. As President Trump said, the greatest legacy is not about winning wars but about avoiding them. God bless America, and God bless the world.

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Secretary Rubio’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-rubios-call-with-turkish-foreign-minister-fidan-3/ Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:16:59 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25507 The post Secretary Rubio’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Secretary Rubio’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

June 3, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan today to discuss supporting direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to stop the bloodshed. The Secretary and FM Fidan also discussed Syria and steps the United States has taken to lift sanctions to advance Syria’s path towards stability and becoming a nation at peace with its neighbors.

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U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Syria Envoy Thomas Barrack’s Statement on Meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and FM Asaad al-Shaibani https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-ambassador-to-turkiye-and-syria-envoy-thomas-barracks-statement-on-meeting-with-syrian-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-and-fm-asaad-al-shaibani/ Sat, 24 May 2025 17:02:22 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25346

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U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Syria Envoy Thomas Barrack's Statement on Meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and FM Asaad al-Shaibani

Statement by U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack

May 24, 2025

Today, I met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani in Istanbul to implement President Trump’s bold decision to provide a path for peace and prosperity in Syria. President al-Sharaa praised America’s fast action on lifting sanctions, welcoming Secretary Rubio’s landmark announcement yesterday waiving Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days and the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement of General License 25 and other sanctions relief measures. I reiterated the United States’ support for the Syrian people after so many years of conflict and violence and reiterated Secretary Rubio’s position that if we had not acted so promptly and deliberately to remove sanctions our partners in the region would not be able to provide donor dollars, supplies, and energy to relieve the plight and trauma of the traumatized Syrian population. President Trump’s goal is to enable the new government to create the conditions for the Syrian people to not only survive but thrive.

I stressed the cessation of sanctions against Syria will preserve the integrity of our primary objective – the enduring defeat of ISIS – and will give the people of Syria a chance for a better future. I also commended President al-Sharaa on taking meaningful steps towards enacting President Trump’s points on foreign terrorist fighters, counter-ISIS measures, relations with Israel, and camps and detention centers in NE Syria. The Syrian side and I affirmed our commitment to continuing these important conversations and to working together to develop private sector investment in Syria to rebuild the economy, including through investment by regional and global partners such as Türkiye, the Gulf, Europe, and the United States.

This meeting was historic, putting the issue of sanctions – as President Trump has indicated – far behind us, and resulting in joint commitment of both our countries to drive forward, quickly, with investment, development, and worldwide branding of a new, welcoming Syria without sanctions.

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Secretary Rubio’s Statement on Providing Sanctions Relief for the Syrian People https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-rubio-statement-providing-sanctions-relief-for-the-syrian-people/ Sat, 24 May 2025 06:59:43 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25338

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Press Statement: Providing Sanctions Relief for the Syrian People

In accordance with the President’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I have issued a 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions to ensure sanctions do not impede the ability of our partners to make stability-driving investments, and advance Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.

In addition, the Department of the Treasury issued Syria General License (GL) 25 to authorize transactions by U.S. persons previously prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria. The GL will allow for new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is providing exceptive relief to permit U.S. financial institutions to maintain correspondent accounts for the Commercial Bank of Syria.

Today’s actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States. President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria’s relations with its neighbors. The President has made clear his expectation that relief will be followed by prompt action by the Syrian government on important policy priorities.

The sanctions waiver is issued pursuant to section 7432(b)(1) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note). More information on the Syria sanctions waiver can be found here. For GL25, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) action can be found here .

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U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack: Implementing President Trump’s Vision for a Prosperous, Stable Syria  https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-ambassador-to-turkiye-and-special-envoy-for-syria-thomas-barrack/ Fri, 23 May 2025 14:53:11 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25311

President Trump has outlined his clear vision of a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors.

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U.S. Ambassador to Türkİye and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack

Implementing President Trump’s Vision for a Prosperous, Stable Syria

President Trump has outlined his clear vision of a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors.  On May 13, the President committed to lifting the United States’ crippling sanctions against Syria to enable the new government to stabilize the country.  Secretary Rubio now has the responsibility of executing the President’s vision and has said “the lifting of the sanctions opens up incredible opportunities around the region for all kinds of peace and security and the end of conflicts and wars.” As President Trump’s representative in Türkiye, I am proud to assume the role of the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and support Secretary Rubio in the realization of the President’s vision.

The cessation of sanctions against Syria will preserve the integrity of our primary objective — the enduring defeat of ISIS — and will give the people of Syria a chance for a better future. In this way, we, together with regional partners including Turkiye and the Gulf, are enabling the Syrian government to restore peace, security, and the hope of prosperity. In the words of the President, we will work together, and we will succeed together.

 

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Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yılmaz https://tr.usembassy.gov/deputy-secretary-landaus-meeting-with-turkish-deputy-foreign-minister-yilmaz/ Wed, 21 May 2025 11:46:51 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25288 The post Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yılmaz appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Deputy Secretary Landau’s Meeting with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yılmaz

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 20, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz.  The Deputy underscored the strong U.S.-Türkiye bilateral relationship as a new era of partnership, advancing cooperation between our two nations across a broad range of issues toward common goals of peace, trade, and commerce.  The two sides discussed the importance of fulfilling President Trump’s announcement of sanctions relief for Syria and recognized the need to maintain the territorial integrity of a stable, united Syria that is not a safe haven for terrorism.

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Joint Statement on the U.S.-Türkiye Syria Working Group https://tr.usembassy.gov/joint-statement-on-the-u-s-turkiye-syria-working-group/ Wed, 21 May 2025 11:34:55 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25283 The post Joint Statement on the U.S.-Türkiye Syria Working Group appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Joint Statement on the U.S.-Türkiye Syria Working Group

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

May 20, 2025

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States and the Republic of Türkiye.

Begin Text:

The United States and Türkiye are committed to increasing cooperation and coordination on stability and security in Syria as outlined by President Trump and President Erdoğan.

The United States hosted Türkiye for a new round of the Syria Working Group in Washington, D.C.  U.S. and Turkish interagency delegations were led by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Nuh Yılmaz. U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Thomas Barrack Jr. and Turkish Ambassador to the United States Sedat Önal also participated.

The delegations discussed shared priorities in Syria, including sanctions relief according to President Trump’s directive and combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.  The United States and Türkiye share a vision for Syria that is stable and at peace with itself and its neighborhood, which will also allow millions of displaced Syrians to return home.

The United States and Türkiye recognize the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria.  A stable and united Syria, which does not offer a safe haven for terrorist organizations, will support regional security and prosperity.

End Text

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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Türkiye and Ukraine https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-rubios-meeting-with-turkiye-and-ukraine/ Fri, 16 May 2025 13:06:18 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25256 The post Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Türkiye and Ukraine appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Türkiye and Ukraine

Readout

May 16, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary Rubio met with Ukrainian Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan today in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The three delegations discussed the importance of seeking a peaceful end to the Russia-Ukraine war. The Secretary noted today’s direct talks between Russia and Ukraine while reiterating the U.S. position that the killing needs to stop.
Secretary Rubio also thanked Foreign Minister Fidan for hosting these important discussions.

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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-rubios-meeting-with-turkish-foreign-minister-fidan-515/ Fri, 16 May 2025 06:07:05 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25238 The post Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan

Readout

May 15, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan today in Antalya, Turkiye to discuss security priorities for the NATO Alliance. The Secretary thanked Türkiye for hosting the meeting and emphasized the need to solidify NATO’s path to 5 percent defense spending for all Allies. The Secretary and FM Fidan also discussed key developments in the region, including in Syria and Iran, and bilateral trade and energy issues.

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