US, Israel discuss Ukraine war, Iran's role in region

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Israeli President Isaac Herzog have discussed in Washington the Ukraine war and Iran's influence in the region.

The US Department of State disclosed details of the meeting on its website on October 25.

"Blinken met today [October 25] with President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C.  The Secretary and President Herzog reaffirmed the strength of the US-Israel bilateral relationship and discussed shared security concerns, including Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and Iran's malign influence in the region.  The Secretary congratulated President Herzog on the forthcoming conclusion of the historic agreement resolving the maritime boundary dispute between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States.  They also discussed opportunities to expand and deepen Israel's relations with Arab states, as well as the continuing unprecedented work of the Negev Forum.  He underscored US concern over current heightened tensions, violence, and loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives in the West Bank, and emphasised the need for all the parties to urgently de-escalate the situation," the report says.