Amid the ongoing military operations in Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said the best way for Israel to normalise regional ties and isolate Iran is to agree on a Palestinian state for the resolution of the conflict, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday on several issues, including maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
On Tuesday, Israel's Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday held a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, The Times of Israel reported.
Antony Blinken has also designated Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam as "Special Watch List countries for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom."
According to Lebanese reports, a senior commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Unit, Wissam Tawil, was killed in an air strike near the village of Majda Selm.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will begin his visit to the Middle Eastern countries from January 4 till January 11, to address ongoing concerns, including the release of remaining hostages and delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gazan civilians.
Highlighting that Russia has become increasingly isolated on the world stage due to sanctions and export controls, the White House said on Thursday that North Korea is providing Russia with ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine.
Some of the issues that have contributed to the tensions include the visit of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last year and labour practices in Xinjiang.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken apprised Congress of an emergency determination, allowing the prompt transfer of "155mm ancillary items, including fuzes, charges, and primers that make 155mm shells functional," as revealed by a State Department spokesperson on Friday.
Urging Congress to release more funds for providing military aid to Ukraine, the US State Secretary also said that "Congress needs to act in the new year".