Blinken: Leaders in the Middle East Determined to Prevent Escalation of Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday that he "found leaders in the Middle East determined to prevent the escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement 'Hamas' in Gaza." In a press talk, he mentioned that "everyone he spoke to is aware of the magnitude of the challenges and no one thinks anything will happen overnight." Blinken emphasized that "Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea must stop," adding that "countries have made it clear that there should be consequences if the attacks continue." He noted that "Washington would prefer that the Houthis absorb this message and cease the attacks."