State Department press briefings headed by acting spokeswoman Marie Harf and her predecessor Jen Psaki have been known to spark lively back-and-forth exchanges between the spokeswomen and reporters, but Monday's briefing got especially snippy,
The Blaze reports.
One reporter asked Harf how the department could curb Iranian influence in the Middle East without directly engaging Iran.
"I agree with you that it's a challenge," Harf told the reporter, who replied, "I never said it was a challenge."
"You don't think it's a challenge?" Harf shot back.
"I'm not here to answer your questions, I'm here to try to get answers to mine," the reporter said, then asked his question very slowly.
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Later in the briefing, members of the press asked whether it was true that Iran might be able to gain access to $50 billion in frozen assets as soon as any nuclear deal with the United States and other countries is signed.
Harf at first insisted, "That's not true," but was challenged by reporters about a
Wall Street Journal article that says otherwise.
Harf eventually acknowledged she didn't know and said she would check and report back.
"I understand very well, Matt, the frozen assets that are out there. I think we're going to move on," she said, but when the reporter continued, she said, "I just said I'm happy to look into it."
When another reporter then asked, "Can you look into it not just with the phrasing 'once it is signed' but 'but once it is agreed,'" an exasperated Harf said, "Fine."
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Finally, Harf was asked about a former contract interpreter who has been charged with billing State for thousands of dollars for
fake appointments.
Harf gave a brief summary, and added, "For any additional questions on this, I'd refer you to the FBI."
"The FBI is referring us back to State, however," the reporter told Harf.
"Well, I'm referring you back to them," Harf said, moving on.
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