MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hey. Hey, guys. We sadly don't have a lot of time. So, let me just do this at the top really quickly, and then I'll turn it off — turn it over.
So, we do have some news for you at the top. On Monday, April 22nd, the President will travel to Virginia to celebrate Earth Day. We will have more details, obviously, to share in the upcoming days. But the President is looking forward to celebrating Earth Day next week.
I do want to give a qu- — a statement about what we saw in Arizona yesterday.
For the second time, Republican elected officials in Arizona have — have blocked efforts to repeal the state's extreme and dangerous abortion ban from 1864.
This law, which includes no exceptions when a woman's health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest, threatens doctors with jail time and will put the health and lives of women in Arizona at risk. It is outrageous.
After the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling paved the way for this Civil War-era ban to go into effect, Republican elected officials tried to dance — to distance themselves from their own extreme agenda to rip away women's freedom. But when Democratic elected officials in Arizona offered a bill to repeal this arcane law, Republicans said no twice.
The President and the Vice President stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a woman's right to choose. And the administration will continue to fight to protect access to reproductive healthcare and call on Congress to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade for women in — in every state.
I know the Admiral doesn't have a topper, but he's happy —
MR. KIRBY: No topper.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: — to take any of your questions on the Middle East.
Q So, John, we saw the Iran sanctions this morning. Why were these targets not already sanctioned? They were involved in Iran's UAV industry, which has been helping Russia fight its war in Ukraine. Why are there any targets that ha- — that —
MR. KIRBY: Look, sanctions — sanctions — the whole sanctions process is an iterative process, and they can be cumulative too.
I would remind you that, over the last three years, we've done 600 sanctions across a wide range of entities and individuals and organizations and businesses across Iran. These are specifically targeted at their drone capability. And — and we'll keep the option open for, you know, anymore that we need.
Q Quickly, about the meeting today over Rafah — the virtual meeting.
MR. KIRBY: Yeah.
Q Who is leading the talks from the U.S. side and —
MR. KIRBY: Jake.
Q And — and are you planning to discuss Israel's plan to attack Iran? I mean, to what extent is that getting discussed?
MR. KIRBY: The meeting is going on right now, so we'll give you a readout when it's over. I'm not going to get ahead of it. The main purpose really is to talk about Rafah and to continue to have a conversation with the Israelis about their intentions and to also share our — our continued concerns over a major ground offensive there.
Q And — and a quick one on — on, you know, the President's decision to impose tariffs on China. I mean, di- — had he mentioned that to President Xi when he spoke to him a few days ago on, you know, the decision to impose higher tariffs on steel?
MR. KIRBY: I'll just say that, broadly speaking, the President did talk to President Xi about unfair trade practices and — and the flooding in the global market of certain commodities that make it hard for American workers and families and businesses.
Q John —
Q What was his response?
MR. KIRBY: I'll leave it at that.
Q John, can you give an update on discussions regarding hostage negotiations — those Israeli hostage and American hostages that are being held in Israel?
And also, as part of that, is there proof of life for — that's been given to the Israelis as it relates to those who were abducted on October the 7th of last year?
