[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6191329,"mediaKeyId","4751781-1f20027198243d7991f9ad54acb23654","parentId",4751781,"title","State Department to host Rwanda–DRC ministerial signing; welcomes release of U.S. hostage Idan Alexander","audioSeconds",81,"startMs",175280,"endMs",256435,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4751781-1f20027198243d7991f9ad54acb23654&start=175&end=256","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4751781-1f20027198243d7991f9ad54acb23654/thumbnail_175280.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191329/State-Department-to-host-RwandaDRC-ministerial-signing-welcomes-release-of-US-hostage-Idan-Alexander","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191329-6407f12efc4907487b6a38f85b9daf20/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510218&Signature=X~LGD~25fYv2h1jyDZggmd~GO2A-lGRZKIpvcT7-JvlNgJrnTAkWuS-YS0L8q0ex8Jy-B4uhmOFkijs9gHsed7PYI~zgqrM5jQFIegC1xLm-z5JNO0I0pRpC5zE7y0mblN7Rj9b-J7p8GOfZj2rJkOGEfuenIuOWrvEoly-PeDFvrRIH9qD~hYYXFBsf0W9Ea5yN~EyQ9lc4QWtZ5b6fHhUDdURY2vMDW3Mq1tI0VxUJrU5U32bZ-Q8Lu0fZkbTQfAkKNnOmYM6PUN3fAaW8nJrnQTMbhoIVHeaPW7we1MqJvHnVHbcWiKcnspx5QbMDYtRS3ErTjtmCAoZ58jG~KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-20T20:03:31Z","article","The State Department announced that technical teams from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda initialed a text of a peace agreement after three days of talks and that a ministerial signing will take place next Friday, June 27, at the State Department.

\"Next Friday, June 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will witness the ministerial signing of that peace agreement right here at the Department of State,\" the spokesperson said, calling the step \"a milestone achievement and a significant step toward peace in that region.\" The department said implementation of the agreement would allow the economic investment and development that officials hope will follow.

The spokesperson also welcomed the release of Idan Alexander, a U.S. citizen who had been held hostage by Hamas, saying, \"His release is a reminder of our commitment to Americans wherever they may be in the world,\" and described scenes of his return as \"truly heartwarming.\"

Why it matters: A ministerial signing witnessed by the secretary of state signals a high-level U.S. diplomatic role in supporting the agreement; the release of a U.S. hostage underscores ongoing consular priorities in crises.

Ending: The State Department said it looks forward to developments on the DRC–Rwanda agreement following the planned June 27 signing and reiterated its commitment to Americans abroad.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Department of State Press Briefing - June 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The State Department said technical teams from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda initialed a peace agreement, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will witness a ministerial signing at the department on June 27. The spokesperson also welcomed the release of U.S. hostage Idan Alexander.","taxTitle","US Department of State","taxId",9719,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":44,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":50,"_51":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":82,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":83,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6191334,"State Department reiterates hopes for diplomacy with Iran as president sets two-week decision window",867,1043095,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4751781-1f20027198243d7991f9ad54acb23654&start=175&end=1043","/articles/6191334/State-Department-reiterates-hopes-for-diplomacy-with-Iran-as-president-sets-two-week-decision-window","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191334-a16bc522619ceca4d9c07ac878b14c84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510218&Signature=LAFXByz2icVc-hMb0ilkMA9r9dOO7A9m1586vN~s9FsxMeDvwfx3Ij61MrjFZO-gJbOBibcu8SnMbnhksXcYew7MeHu-4VcN89jQLLiIFnut5mQhMg8r9Ghqpgek-5HdLS-HRriaNgmwqLhUT5hFrvoz87tz6RSKeiVDmQouwiH9VUM3Bc9MlykNUbdefxmLZeTapWid1QqG4l-kPEvPy3h37UyC5NgUqyKuZLEKbfVolWkts~oVbD5Vugx6NhoKGO8j22rOYo9V3-rs94mw-ZWTy5rpfEIK9HpvKuU2ISWZyn1l9-zYv54tdj699ldpezw3ehU9yPhpgLw8f4ZKWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The U.S. State Department on Friday said it remains focused on diplomatic avenues with Iran and other parties and noted President Trump’s public statement that he would decide within two weeks whether to pursue direct engagement.

Quoting the president, the State Department spokesperson said: \"Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place in the near future, I will make my decision of whether or not to go within the next 2 weeks.\" The spokesperson read the line while describing ongoing special envoy-led engagement.

Why it matters: The department said it is pursuing talks on multiple fronts and that special envoy Steve Witkoff has led efforts to get Iran \"to the table.\" That diplomatic track sits alongside rapid operational and security decisions in an evolving regional crisis.

The spokesperson declined to characterize the productivity of talks in Geneva involving European counterparts and said decisions about how to proceed are for the president. When asked whether the U.S. would send a representative to Geneva to join European interlocutors, the spokesperson said the administration is \"working on many different fronts\" and that \"how we're pursuing those efforts are up to the president.\" The spokesperson added: \"We certainly continue to\" pursue diplomatic options.

On related concerns about Iran’s potential nuclear activities and timelines cited by other White House officials, the spokesperson declined to provide further characterization from the podium and said the president \"has his reasons\" for the two-week window. The department also reiterated that it will continue to work with allies and that the president will make decisions based on broad information the White House is reviewing.

Ending: The spokesperson said the administration hopes diplomatic efforts succeed and that further developments — including what step the president decides to take — may become clearer in the coming days.","The State Department said the U.S. is pursuing diplomatic channels with Iran and other parties, citing a presidential statement that a decision on engagement would be made within two weeks; the spokesperson declined to characterize the productivity of Geneva talks and emphasized that the president will decide how to proceed.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6191339,"State Department urges U.S. citizens in Israel, West Bank and Iran to enroll in STEP, posts crisis intake form",1309,36000,1345535,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4751781-1f20027198243d7991f9ad54acb23654&start=36&end=1345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4751781-1f20027198243d7991f9ad54acb23654/thumbnail_36000.jpg","/articles/6191339/State-Department-urges-US-citizens-in-Israel-West-Bank-and-Iran-to-enroll-in-STEP-posts-crisis-intake-form","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191339-092d2a75818f291def2dd1e0f246d989/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510218&Signature=HBhYmIdaOd45J90nALWf0vNKCoGTavlp90U7fdZTkTMqYOv98lI-rLrM3vOaSsLlL0BvYTEIgcAcSr6C5NC0IyvOCeowZUNhRCcaUZ89tCo2yMqonZDe1cQq4QK5AaeHITzZP0xJZmAQxsR79MZZvNwT1ulgueubYiBSPeElXutGc45JdVQKq7Z~IddnacwikhYIhaQ2WlM-VowAJQJnBX4H9nzRrojRfwZwNbkE6s~PfBOZEzRKRgpcUbza4niHlATQZ56JUGli9XyU~iNNotAagatjkRUFi-zuXqXVJF0ORRLkwms~9~TyUOijUXmsulEz1np6wQMLMus~Ve2f9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The U.S. State Department on Friday urged American travelers and U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank and Iran to register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and use a new crisis intake form posted on travel.state.gov, citing concerns about safety amid ongoing hostilities in the region.

\"The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans,\" the State Department spokesperson said, and urged citizens to \"sign up for the smart traveler enrollment program known as STEP\" and to monitor travel.state.gov for updates, emergency contact information and the new crisis intake banner labeled \"Israel and Iran departure info.\" The spokesperson provided the emergency overseas contact number +1 (202) 501-4444.

Why it matters: With active hostilities and what the spokesperson described as a \"dynamic\" security environment, the department said those tools let consular staff provide up-to-date information and track and assist U.S. citizens abroad.

The spokesperson said the crisis intake form allows U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank and Iran to register and request information on departure assistance. \"This crisis intake form will also allow U.S. citizens in Iran to register their information. We do not anticipate offering direct U.S. government assisted departure from Iran. Americans seeking departure should take advantage of existing means to leave,\" the spokesperson said.

The department said it has \"provided information and support to over 25,000 people seeking guidance regarding the situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran,\" but declined requests to break that total down by location or to provide data on how many people who contacted the department later departed. When pressed by reporters for numbers about departures or specific evacuation flights, the spokesperson declined to provide further detail, saying those data would not be shared \"for national security reasons\" and that some operational details are being posted at individual embassy sites.

Reporters asked whether privately organized charter flights — including a reported effort by Florida’s governor — were coordinated with the State Department. The spokesperson said independent efforts are occurring and suggested reporters contact the organizers for details.

The department continued to urge Americans overseas to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, use the online crisis intake form and call +1 (202) 501-4444 for emergency assistance.

The briefing also noted the department’s broader consular posture remains active with task forces and embassy teams working on guidance and assistance for U.S. citizens across the Middle East as the situation evolves.

Ending: The State Department said it will continue to update travel.state.gov and embassy websites and encouraged U.S. citizens abroad to remain registered in STEP and to complete the crisis intake form if they seek departure information or other consular assistance.","The State Department urged Americans abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, published a crisis intake form on travel.state.gov and said it has provided information to more than 25,000 people seeking guidance about Israel, the West Bank and Iran, while declining to provide a country-by-country breakdown.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State Department to host Rwanda–DRC ministerial signing; welcomes release of U.S. hostage Idan Alexander

State Department reiterates hopes for diplomacy with Iran as president sets two-week decision window

State Department urges U.S. citizens in Israel, West Bank and Iran to enroll in STEP, posts crisis intake form