US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is touring the Middle East and Asia this week amid Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The State Department said Blinken will fly from Washington on Thursday and will be in Israel and Jordan on Friday.
“In Israel, Secretary Blinken will reaffirm US support for Israel’s right to self-defense against terrorism, consistent with international humanitarian law,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
“It will also discuss efforts to protect American citizens in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, working to immediately release hostages, increasing the pace and volume of humanitarian aid delivered to Gaza for distribution to Palestinian civilians, and preventing the conflict to intensify. “Miller added.
“In Jordan, the Secretary of State will emphasize the importance of protecting civilian lives and our shared commitment to facilitating the sustained delivery of expanded, life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians, the resumption of critical services, and the prevention of forced displacement. . of Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip,” Miller continued.
“It will also discuss urgent mechanisms to end the violence, tone down the rhetoric, reduce regional tensions, and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working with partners to create the conditions necessary to establish lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East. , including the creation of a Palestinian state,” said the State Department spokesperson.
Blinken will find himself in a diplomatic maelstrom that will likely complicate his mission.
On Wednesday, Jordan announced that it would recall its ambassador to Israel and would not allow Israel’s ambassador to Jordan to return to the country.
Amman said the decisions will stand until the Gaza conflict ends.
While some progress was made Wednesday toward evacuating foreigners, including a small number of Americans, from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, thousands more are also trying to leave.
Following his visit to the Middle East, Blinken will lead US delegations to Tokyo, Seoul and New Delhi to promote joint efforts to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region, Miller said.
In Tokyo, the Secretary of State will participate in the G7 meetings, where foreign ministers will discuss measures to implement the commitments made by the group’s leaders at the Hiroshima summit.
Blinken will also hold bilateral meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko.
Miller said they will discuss bilateral priorities, including supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery, as well as strengthening bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Later, the head of American diplomacy will travel to Seoul.
“The Secretary of State will discuss possible ways for the United States and the Republic of Korea to respond to global challenges, including Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing Russian military cooperation with the DPRK, and instability in the Middle East,” said a State Department spokesperson. the said.
“In Tokyo and Seoul, the Secretary of State will emphasize the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan and the Republic of Korea,” Miller said.
The Secretary of State will then travel to Delhi, where he will participate in a ministerial-level dialogue in a “2+2” format with the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.
