BOLO on alleged Iranian threat to Pentagon leader (U.S. Department of State)

Thank you for filing your FOIA request online on 11/9/2020. Here is a review of your request.

The records I request can be described as follows:

To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:- The BOLO bulletin issued in response to a September 22, 2020 incident involving a senior Pentagon official allegedly tailed by an Iranian national in a vehicle with Virginia license plates; and- Any other reports on the above-referenced incident.According to NBC News, a leader at the Department of Defense "left the Pentagon that evening in a government-owned black SUV driven by a member of his security detail, when an unknown vehicle immediately began to follow them, officials said. The driver, identified as an Iranian national, was in a vehicle with Virginia license plates and trailed closely behind the official SUV for five to seven miles, at times driving aggressively, according to officials who described a report on the incident that was created by the Pentagon." (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/top-u-s-officials-were-briefed-active-threat-against-pentagon-n1245273)The NBC News report states that the Department of Defense later issued a Be on the Lookout (BOLO) alert about the incident and "shared the information with federal law enforcement."If any part of these documents are exempt from disclosure, please be sure to review and release all reasonably segregable nonexempt portions of responsive documents, as the FOIA requires.I request that I be properly classified as a media requester. I am an investigative journalist who has written numerous articles on topics of public interest for the Asia Times, Responsible Statecraft, the National Interest, Reason Magazine, America Magazine and the Armenian Weekly, and I am requesting these documents in an editorial capacity. Please contact me if you have any questions about my media status.The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.Sincerely,Matthew PettiUpload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/

The time period of my request is from 09/22/2020 to 11/09/2020

I am A representative of the news media seeking information as part of a news gathering effort and not for commercial use.

I am willing to pay $25 for my request.

I have a compelling need for expeditious handling:

-I request that I be properly classified as a media requester. I am an investigative journalist who has written numerous articles on topics of public interest for the Asia Times, Responsible Statecraft, the National Interest, Reason Magazine, America Magazine and the Armenian Weekly, and I am requesting these documents in an editorial capacity. Please contact me if you have any questions about my media status.

My additional comments are as follows:

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Contact Information
Mr. Matthew Petti
411A Highland Ave
DEPT MR 104365
Somerville, Massachusetts 02144
P: 617-299-1832
F: N/A
requests@muckrock.com

**THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.** Mr.Petti: This email responds to yourNovember 9, 2020, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. § 552) request received by the U.S. Department of State,Office of Information Programs and Services on November 9, 2020, regarding the BOLO bulletin issued in response to a September 22, 2020 incident involving a senior Pentagon official allegedly tailed by an Iranian national in a vehicle with Virginia license plates and any other reports on the incident (Date Range for Record Search: From 9/22/2020 To 11/9/2020).  This Office assigned your request the subject reference number. ThisOffice denies your request because no connection exists between the informationrequested and the U.S. Department of State. Please be advised that most of the records maintained by the Departmentpertain to the formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. See 22 CFR § 171.2. Sincerely, /s/ R. Yousef, for NicholasJ. Cormier Chief,Requester Communications Branch Officeof Information Programs and Services **THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.**