U.S. And Israel Discuss Iran’s Malign Influence In The Region

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday met with Israel's President Isaac Herzog in Washington. According to the State Department, they "reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relationship and discussed shared security concerns, including Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and Iran’s malign influence in the region".

"Our hearts go out to the people of Iran.  The women of Iran are oppressed and attacked day in, day out, and I will be exposing more of the fact that Iran – that the Iranian weapons are used against civilians, innocent civilians in Ukraine," President Herzog said before the meeting.

Blinken, in his turn, added that the U.S. and Israel are "standing together" against the dangerous, destabilizing, and terrorizing actions that Iran is taking in the region and, "well beyond the region."

"The provision of drones by Iran to Russia to enable its further aggression against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people is showing horrific results on the ground in Ukraine, and it’s something that we are determined to stand against even as we also work against the other actions that Iran is taking closer to home," Blinken added.

Herzog today will meet with President Biden at the White House. U.S. officials described the visit as a move that "underscores the enduring partnership and friendship between the U.S. and Israel."

According to the White House, Biden and Herzog will consult on key issues, including regional and global challenges of mutual concern, opportunities to deepen Israel’s regional integration, and ways to advance equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.