Blinken warns against wider Middle East conflict in meeting with Turkish, Greek leaders

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the leaders of Turkey and Greece on Saturday to discuss the next steps in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a week-long tour of the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. It was the beginning of a journey.

Blinken started his day in Istanbul to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. According to a White House press release, President Blinken and President Erdogan discussed the war in Gaza.

“The Secretary is committed to preventing the escalation of the conflict, securing the release of hostages, increasing humanitarian assistance and reducing civilian casualties, ensuring the security of Israel, and promoting widespread and lasting regional peace that advances the establishment of a Palestinian state. “We emphasized the need to work toward this goal.” statement To read.

Fidan called on the United States to support a ceasefire in the conflict. Associated Press reportedThe foreign minister urged Blinken to begin negotiations with the Israeli government on a two-state solution in the region “as soon as possible.”

The group also discussed Sweden's NATO accession process, which has been put on hold by Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked the United States to approve a shipment of F-16 jets in exchange for a vote to admit Sweden into the alliance, and the United States agreed.

Turkey's parliament approved Sweden's status last month, but the U.S. government has held off on sending jets until Sweden formally joins the alliance.

Blinken also visited the Greek island of Crete in the Ionian Islands to meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He will also visit Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt on his trip, and is scheduled to return to the United States on Tuesday.

Tensions in the Middle East continue to rise as the war between Israel and Hamas approaches three months. Hezbollah threatened to join the conflict this week after an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon killed a Hamas leader.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have also increased attacks on ships in the Red Sea, causing disruption to the commercial sector and in some cases threatening U.S. military personnel.