News: Rubio orders diplomats to curb commentary after Huckabee remarks spark regional outcry news
A memo from US secretary of state Marco Rubio instructed ambassadors in the Middle East to refrain from public statements that could inflame regional audiences, creating a sharp internal reaction after remarks by US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The memo’s language and timing intensified concern inside the administration as envoys returned from last-ditch Iran negotiations.
News: Huckabee remarks and fallout
The unclassified cable signed by Rubio said: “Given rising tensions in the region, Chiefs of Mission and embassies at addressee posts must refrain from public statements, interviews, or social media activity that could in any way inflame regional audiences, prejudice sensitive political issues, or complicate US relationships. ” It added: “Chiefs of Mission are expected to avoid all commentary on issues that could heighten tensions or create confusion about US policy. Discipline in public messaging is essential, especially at this time. ”
Diplomatic memo and public directive
The memo did not name Mike Huckabee, but it was circulated to him and was dated 23 February, two days after his remarks drew condemnation across the Middle East. Inside the administration the directive was widely read as a pointed rebuke of Huckabee following his appearance on a two-hour episode of former host Tucker Carlson’s podcast, where he discussed the covenant in the Book of Genesis between G — unclear in the provided context.
Geneva talks and their outcome
White House officials reacted with alarm that Huckabee’s comments could harden Iran’s position ahead of negotiations this week with the president’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for a nuclear deal meant to stave off a military conflict. The latest round of talks between the US and Iran, which took place in Geneva on Thursday, appeared to be largely unsuccessful. Witkoff and Kushner returned to Washington disappointed, an administration official said.
Witkoff and Kushner push demands
In talks that lasted all evening, Witkoff and Kushner pressed Iran to agree to destroy its three main nuclear enrichment sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, which were described as the targets of the president’s bombing campaign last year, and to deliver its remaining stockpile to the US. They also insisted that any deal must be forever, without the sunset provisions that phased out restrictions in the 2015 accord negotiated with the Obama administration. That 2015 accord is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which the president withdrew from during his first term.
Regional reactions and official statements
Huckabee’s comments prompted widespread condemnation. A joint statement from the foreign ministries of over a dozen Arab and Muslim nations, including allies named in the comment, expressed “strong condemnation and profound concern” and affirmed their “categorical rejection of such dangerous and inflammatory remarks. ” The joint statement added: “These statements directly contradict the vision put forward by U. S. President Donald J. Trump, as well as the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. ”
The League of Arab States called the comments “extremist and lacking any sound basis” on its public account. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described the comments as “extremist rhetoric” and called for the State Department to clarify its position. Egypt described the comments as a “flagrant breach” of international law. Iran warned the remarks could further “embolden” Israel in its “illegal measures against Palestinians as well as its constant aggression against the nations of the region. ”
Yair Lapid backs broad expansion
Israel’s main opposition leader Yair Lapid spoke at a news conference on Monday and said he agrees with expansionist views for Israel taking over territory as far as Iraq. Quoted by a regional outlet, Lapid said: “I support anything that will allow the Jews a large, broad, strong land and a safe haven for us – our children and our children’s children. I support that. ” He added: “Zionism is based on the Bible. Our mandate over the land of Israel is biblical, [and] the biblical borders of the land of Israel are clear… Therefore, the borders are the borders of the Bible. ” He also said there are “Israeli security and policy considerations” that could impede such efforts, though he did not elaborate.
Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, described his own view in the interview this way: “It would be fine if they took it all, but I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here today. ” He added that “they’re not asking to take all that. ” Asked if it would be fine for Israel to take over countries including Syria and Lebanon, he replied: “That’s really not exactly what I’m trying to say. ” On the biblical borders question he said: “I’m not sure it would go that far, but it would be a big piece of land. ” He also said: “They’re not trying to take over Jordan, take over Syria, take over Iraq, or anywhere else, but they do want to protect their people. ”
The interviewer cited a Bible verse promising Abraham land “from the wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates — the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites, ” and noted that the area described would include parts of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Huckabee has complained that a viral clip did not give the full context of the two-hour exchange and said the full interview was posted online. He wrote on social media that they had a “very twisty and frankly confusing discussion about the meaning of Zionism, ” saying he was asked “as a former Baptist minister about the ‘theology’ of Christian Zionism, ” and added: “He kept dragging it to discussions about other topics, literally other countries, things that have nothing to do with theology and certainly not with Israel, Zionism, or anything else. ”
A spokesperson for the US Embassy said on Sunday that Huckabee’s comments were taken out of context and that there is no change to US policies on Israel. Huckabee, whom the president nominated as ambassador in 2024, has long opposed the idea of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people and has denied the existence of an illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Inside the administration, a person familiar with the matter said: “The president is starting to get pissed with Huckabee for interfering with his negotiation, ” and added: “And he hasn’t forgotten that his daughter refused to endorse him in the last campaign. ”
Rubio is also expected to travel to Israel on Monday to meet with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a person familiar with the matter said. A state department spokesperson declined to comment. Previous reporting by advisers to the president indicated the president’s decision on whether to authorize further airstrikes will hinge in part on whether Witkoff and Kushner conclude Tehran is stalling; Iran has rejected proposals to stop enrichment or to ship its enriched uranium abroad.
The memo and the sequence of events — Huckabee’s interview, regional condemnations, the 23 February timing of the cable, the Geneva talks, and the return of Witkoff and Kushner — together have sharpened tensions and prompted demands for clearer public messaging from US diplomats.
