United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Middle East today on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year.
This trip marks his first visit since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad, which heightened fears of instability in the region.
Blinken's itinerary included stops in Jordan and Turkey, where he engaged in talks focused on Syria and regional conflicts.
In Jordan, Blinken met with Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II, in Aqaba.
"All of these conversations are looking to bring all the countries in the region together, as well as beyond the region, in a unified approach to supporting the Syrian people as they emerge from this dictatorship," Blinken told reporters.
Following his meetings in Jordan, Blinken travelled to Ankara, Turkey, for discussions with Turkish officials. Later Thursday (Friday AEDT), he also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Biden administration has been actively involved in the Middle East, with several high-level officials visiting the region to navigate current volatility.
By engaging with regional leaders and addressing critical issues such as humanitarian aid and counter-terrorism, Blinken's visit underscores the U.S.'s commitment to stability and peace in the Middle East.