RIYADH: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, sought to bolster international efforts to address the ongoing crisis in the region. On Sunday, Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The top US diplomat held a nearly hour-long meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed at the royal farm residence in the Riyadh area. Following the discussion, Blinken described it as “very productive.”
Blinken’s visit to the Middle East comes in the wake of heightened tensions in the region, which escalated after Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel from the blockaded Gaza Strip on October 7, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,300 lives, with the majority being civilians. In response to the attack, a massive retaliatory campaign was launched, primarily targeting the Islamist group in Gaza and causing more than 2,300 casualties.
Before the outbreak of violence, the Saudi crown prince had conveyed optimism regarding US-led diplomacy aimed at normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, the eruption of hostilities has led to a pause in this diplomatic initiative.
Saudi Arabia’s role as the guardian of Islam’s two holiest sites makes its recognition of Israel a significant milestone. In 2020, Israel took steps to normalize relations with three other Arab states. As part of this broader diplomatic effort, Saudi Arabia has sought security guarantees from the United States, its long-time partner and a major consumer of Saudi oil.
President Joe Biden, who previously expressed strong views about Saudi Arabia, received attention for his visit to the country last year when he shared a friendly fist-bump with Prince Mohammed. The visit sparked protests domestically.
Blinken’s Middle East tour is designed to apply pressure on Hamas and prevent the conflict from escalating further. Egypt, the next stop on his tour, holds a crucial role as an intermediary between Israel and Hamas. US officials have reported that Cairo worked on an arrangement to facilitate the departure of US citizens from the Gaza Strip. However, on Saturday, Hamas hindered their movement to the sole border crossing at Rafah.
The diplomatic efforts in the Middle East remain a priority for the United States as it seeks to contribute to a peaceful resolution and regional stability.
