U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s 11th visit to the Middle East since October 7, 2023, underscored the Biden Administration’s efforts to calm the situation. During his five-day visit from October 21-25, 2024, to Israel, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, Secretary Blinken met with important regional partners to look for a sustainable solution. His main agenda included the release of hostages, ending the “conflict”, addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis, and, above all, the post-conflict planning phase.[1]
The visit came at a time when the escalation had reached new heights, engulfing other countries in the region including heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following the counter attacks by Iran. As a result, officials in the U.S. and Israel had been discussing the response in recent weeks. Israeli officials have told Washington that they will refrain from attacks on Iranian nuclear or energy sites that could lead to dramatic escalation between the countries.[2]
