I am outraged and deeply saddened by the assault on our Consulate in Peshawar. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the Pakistani security personnel who were killed and all those who were injured. Attacks on diplomatic missions strike at the heart of international cooperation and are unacceptable in any country at any time. We condemn this attack on our mission, the recent bombings in Baghdad that targeted other diplomatic missions, and all such crimes.
The assault this morning is part of a wave of violence perpetrated by brutal extremists who seek to undermine Pakistan’s democracy and sow fear and discord. The Pakistani people have suffered grievous losses, but they are standing firm in the face of this intimidation -- and the United States stands with them.
We are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our staff -- both American and Pakistani -- as well as the security of our facilities. And we are coordinating closely with Pakistan authorities, who are working to bring the attackers to justice. We deeply appreciate the quick, effective support of Pakistani Security Forces. This tragedy underscores the common challenges our nations face and deepens the commitment of the United States to strengthen our partnership.
