Iran Strike (U.S. Department of State)
| Tracking # |
F-2020-02989 |
| Multi Request | Iran Strike |
| Submitted | Jan. 5, 2020 |
| Due | Feb. 3, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Carlos Gamez
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. All intelligence cables that relate to the airstrike in Baghdad that killed Qasem Soleimani on 1/3/2019
2. All documents that contain information regarding the planning and execution of the airstrike in Baghdad on 1/3/2019
3. All communications between your agency and the White House regarding the airstrike on Baghdad
4. All intelligence records that contain the name Qasem Soleimani
5. All documents that relate to the “52 Iranian sites” that would be attacked (https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1213593975732527112)
6. All documents as they relate to the "imminent attack" by Iran as explained by various officials in the United States government
For all records the dates are from 10/5/2019 to present date.
Fee Waiver Request:
1. The subject of the requested records concerns the operations or activities of the government. This is since it has been widely reported through various news media organizations. Also, there has been official acknowledgement of said activities through the use of twitter by the President of the United States. Also, Mike Pompeo in his official position as the Secretary of State explained the subject of the requested records through an interview on CNN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10h5Z44ByKc).
2. The disclosure of the records is "likely to contribute" to an understanding of government operations or activities. This is since this information has recently become in public interest as seen through multiple news media organizations. Recently, there has been multiple interviews from different officials in the United States government. The records requested will either confirm or deny what was stated on the record regarding the airstrike in Baghdad and the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. By allowing for the fee waiver of these records, it will allow for the understanding of the process taken in order to understand the decision made by the United States government. This will be by allowing the public to receive information that is paramount to understand the statements made by United States officials. By obtaining these documents, it will allow the public to remove the blindfold and see with full light the process and techniques used that caused a airstrike to happen on Baghdad. Lastly, this information will allow the public to determine the veracity of statements made by officials in their postions. This is by having full light and scope in the information and allow said statements to be "tested and tried" with all information available to determine if such actions were done hastily and irresponsibly.
3. The release of the information at issue will "contribute to the understanding of a reasonably broad audience of persons interested in the subject." This information will be readily available on Muckrock.com which has been recognized as a news media organization through various means. This information will allow for the majority of the visitors to see and understand the information requested. Recently, there has been an interest in the information that could be shown in these documents. This is since it addresses the public’s need on a national scale. This is shown through the heightened security in various parts of the world and through the Department of State. Lastly, the records requested will be readily available for other news media organizations to use and disseminate across various means. All said and done, the records has the ability to be disseminated from the skyscrapers of New York to the forests in California.
4. These documents will provide significant understanding regarding the subject in question. This is since this is on the height of various breaking news reports regarding the subject matter. All the information obtained has been through interviews and official statements made by the United States government. These documents have the ability to confirm or deny all statements made by officials whether through direct or indirect means. Also, presently there are no documents available that allows for the public to “obtain full understanding” that otherwise is unavailable. This is since the documents will allow for the public to have information that is currently not available. Thus the the lack of these documents cause for the public to be blinded by the statements made without being able to full judge the veracity of such statements.
Expedited Processing:
I hereby request expedited processing for this request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. This is based on the compelling need of the urgency to inform the public of actual or alleged Federal Government activity.
1. The documents will be available on Muckrock.com. I am not a member of the news media nor am I a staff member at Muckrock.com. I have chosen Muckrock.com to be the venue in which these documents will be shown to the public. This website is primarily engaged in disseminating information. There has been multiple stories that have garnered attention thanks to the various requests made through Muckrock.com.
2. This request concerns a matter that is ongoing and current. This is since there has been multiple breaking news regarding the airstrike in Baghdad and the assassination of Qasem Soleimani. This has been showed through the various interviews through various news outlets (https://amp.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jan/03/iran-general-qassem-suleimani-killed-us-trump-drone-strike-baghdad-reaction-live-updates, https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UCIRYBXDze5krPDzAEOxFGVA&v=JQaUJLNMZtA, https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/live-updates/qassem-soleimani-top-iranian-military-commander-killed-in-us-airstrike-in-baghdad-2020-01-05/). This matter is also one of urgency to the American public. This is since there has been a heightened fear delivered to the American public that allegedly required this decision to be made. Also, it will allow the general public to understand whether such fear is necessary. This is since statements were made regarding the matter showing an “imminent attack” on U.S. soil. Thus, the records requested will either confirm or deny a alleged security risk in the United States and around the world. Also, there is a fear as due to the activity done by the United States there has been an uprising against the United States (https://nypost.com/2020/01/05/iran-lawmakers-chant-death-to-america-in-parliament-over-qassem-soleimani-killing/amp/).
3. The consequences of delaying a response would compromise a significant recognized interest. This is since there has been multiple reports regarding the subject matter through various news organizations. This request relates to the controversial decision to do an airstrike in Baghdad while denying doing so (https://amp.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jan/03/iran-general-qassem-suleimani-killed-us-trump-drone-strike-baghdad-reaction-live-updates). It also has been widely recognized as an interest as Mike Pompeo did an interview in order to explain to the American public the decision made. Lastly, there are multiple sources that have reported on the subject matter including CNN, CBS, USA Today and BBC News. Thus, the public would lose the ability to judge the decisions made by the United States government. Lastly, the media as a whole has a genuine interest in the subject matter as shown through the reports in different places across the United States.
4. This request clearly concerns federal government activity. This is since this federal government activity has been publicly acknowledged by the President of the United States and the Secretary of State.
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,
Carlos Gamez
From: U.S. Department of State
**THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.** Mr.Gamez: This email acknowledgesreceipt of your January 6, 2020, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. §552) request received by the U.S. Department ofState, Office of Information Programs and Services on January 14, 2020, regarding the January 3, 2019, airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the "52 Iranian sites," and the "imminent attack" by Iran. This Office assigned your request the subject reference number and placed it in the complex processing track where it will beprocessed as quickly as possible. See 22CFR § 171.11(h). Yourequested a waiver for all fees associated with the processing of yourrequest. Please be advised this Officewill make a determination regarding a fee waiver at a later date. Also, you requested expeditedprocessing of this request. According to22 CFR § 171.11(f), requests shall receive expedited processing when arequester demonstrates a “compelling need” for the information exists for oneof the following reasons: (1) f ailure to obtain the requested informationon an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threatto the life or physical safety of an individual; (2) the information isurgently needed by an individual primarily engaged in disseminating informationin order to inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal governmentactivity; or (3) failure to release the information would impair substantialdue process rights or harm substantial humanitarian interests. Your requestdoes not demonstrate a “compelling need” for the requested information. Therefore, this Office denies your requestfor expedited processing. f you are not satisfied with this Office’sdetermination in response to your request for expedited processing, you mayadministratively appeal to: ; or facsimileat 202-485-1718. Appeals Officer, AppealsReview Panel, Office of Information Programs and Services, U.S. Department ofState, 2201 C Street, NW, Suite B266, Washington, D.C. 20520 Your appeal must bepostmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of this email. This Office willnot be able to respond within the 20 days provided by the statute due to“unusual circumstances.” See 5 U.S.C. §552(a)(6)(B)(i)-(iii). In this instance,the unusual circumstances include the need to search for and collect requestedrecords from other Department offices or Foreign Service posts. If you have any questionsregarding your request , wouldlike to narrow the scope or arrange an alternative time frame to speed itsprocessing, or would like an estimated date of completion, please contact ourFOIA Requester Service Center or our FOIA Public Liaison by email atFOIAstatus@state.gov or telephone at 202-261-8484.Additionally, you may contact theOffice of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives andRecords Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services theyoffer. The contact information for OGISis as follows: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives andRecords Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland20740-6001, email at ogis@nara.gov; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at1-877-684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769. Sincerely, /s/ NicholasJ. Cormier Chief,Requester Communications Branch Office of Information Programs and Services **THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.**
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 5, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 6, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-2020-02989.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Carlos Gamez
Good evening,
I am looking for an Estimated Date of Completion for the following FOIA request: F-2020-02989. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Carlos Gamez
From: U.S. Department of State
Mr. Carlos Gamez,
This is in response to your letter dated December 29, 2021 regarding FOIA Case Control Number F-2020-02989.
This request remains in process and still has a December 16, 2022, estimated date of completion (EDC). As you were previously advised, EDCs are estimates and subject to change.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resources to process FOIA cases are limited at the Department. Therefore, there will be a delay in processing FOIA requests.
We appreciate your continued patience.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center via email at FOIAStatus@state.gov<mailto:FOIAStatus@state.gov>.
Regards,
Katrina Wood
U.S. Department of State
FOIA Requester Service Center
From: Carlos Gamez
Good evening,
I am looking for an Estimated Date of Completion for the following FOIA request: F-2020-02989. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Carlos Gamez
From: U.S. Department of State
Mr. Gamez,
This is in reference to your email below regarding the status of FOIA case number F-2020-02989.
The Office of Information Programs and Services’ electronic records system indicates this request is in process and has an updated estimated date of completion (EDC) of March 29, 2024. Please note, EDCs are estimates and are subject to change. If the request can be completed prior to the EDC, a response will be sent sooner.
Please be advised that the Department currently has a backlog of FOIA requests and is working through it as quickly as possible. As the Department continues to work through its backlog of FOIA requests, it is mindful of its accountability to the public.
We apologize for the delayed response and appreciate your continued patience.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding a FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 202-261-8484 or send an e-mail to foiastatus@state.gov<mailto:foiastatus@state.gov>.
Sincerely,
U.S. Department of State
FOIA Requester Service Center
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