Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Directs State Intelligence and Resources to Keep Sensitive Sites and Locations Secure Amid Ongoing Attacks in Iran

Governor Kathy Hochul today delivered remarks on the ongoing attacks in Iran. Under the Governor’s direction, state intelligence has cooperated with local and federal law enforcement to prioritize the safety of New Yorkers and places of worship for Jewish and Muslim communities. Governor Hochul is calling for transparency and steady leadership from the Trump administration.

VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

AUDIO: The Governor's remarks are available in audio form here.

PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

My number one job is keeping New Yorkers safe, and my focus is, right now, very much on the unfolding situation in Iran.

First of all, our hearts go out to the family members of the service members — I believe the number is up to four now of American brave heroes who lost their lives in this enterprise — and to those who are now in harm's way. And as an abundance of caution, since word first arose, I directed that my intelligence communities, my cyber experts here in the State of New York, coordinate with local law enforcement as well as federal law enforcement to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep locations secure, whether it's places of worship for the Jewish communities, whether it's places of worship for the Muslim communities, or any place of gathering — what we think could be under threat. So we're increasing our presence at sensitive sites.

I also want to speak directly to Iranian New Yorkers that you are safe here. We will continue to ensure that you belong here and that you feel that the State of New York is doing everything we can to protect you. And the same with Jewish communities who also feel that there could be retribution against them. And I want to let them know that we're taking this all very seriously. We'll not tolerate any hate or retaliation against anyone who calls New York home because of what's happening.

Now, this is also a threat. Iran's regime has been abhorrent for decades. It oppresses its own people. It supports terrorism. It threatens our allies and pursues dangerous ambitions. No one is ever going to defend that regime. Full stop. But the scale of what is happening now demands answers. This has been described by the President as the largest military offensive the world has ever seen. So, what is the objective here?

Is this going to result in boots on the ground? Is this going to return to a time of the endless wars that Americans are so tired of? In the President's own words, he said — on Election Day, he said, “No more wars.” So we have a lot of questions and deserve answers. And ultimately, what does success look like?

So these decisions have real consequences. They're going to have an impact on energy costs. And, the Strait of Hormuz is where the vast majority of the world's oil comes through. It's going to have a direct effect on the pump right here in New York State, probably in a matter of days, if not hours, as New Yorkers are going to again see the impact of these decisions outside their own controls.

So these are — we've been there before. We've seen wars launched with promises of swift impact and swift closure. But regions have been left unstable before. So we just want to make sure that this is done right, that the risks are fully understood, and this is a consequential moment for our country and, indeed, the world.

And we just want — from New York State, we just want honest, steady leadership and to understand that Americans are tired of wars and they do not see how this keeps them safer, which is again my number one priority.