An important briefing about Isis is probably one of the worst times for a wild Pokemon to wander onto your phone’s screen.
Yet that was the reality faced by a reporter while US State Department spokesman John Kirby held a press conference.
As Mr Kirby discussed global efforts to combat the terrorist threat, he was forced to double take when he saw a journalist playing Pokemon Go.
It prompted a bizarre conversation between the pair that was captured in footage from the press conference.
A confused Mr Kirby says: ‘You’re playing the Pokemon thing right there, aren’t you?’
The surprised reporter replies: ‘I’m just keeping an eye on it.’
Like the pro he is, Mr Kirby immediately makes a seamless transition back to the small matter of the international fight against terrorism.
He says: ‘It’s an important reminder – we know this won’t be easy. We recognize it’s a challenge, and we’re clear-eyed about the work we still have to do.
‘This is why we convened this important ministerial and will continue to work with our coalition partners to defeat Daesh.’
But soon his thoughts were back to Pokemon.
‘Did you get one?’ he asks the same reporter, to which the journalist says: ‘No, the signal is not very good.’
Barely suppressing a smirk, Mr Kirby ends the odd encounter by sympathising with the player.
‘I’m sorry about that.’
