US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday emphasized the need for pressure on Hamas during a meeting with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The meeting, held at the royal's farm residence near Riyadh, lasted nearly an hour and was described as "very productive" by Blinken on his return to his hotel.
Blinken "highlighted the United States' unwavering focus on halting terrorist attacks by Hamas, securing the release of all hostages and preventing the conflict from spreading", US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
"The two affirmed their shared commitment to protecting civilians and to advancing stability across the Middle East and beyond," Miller said.
The discussion focused on the recent violence initiated by Hamas, which led to a significant retaliatory campaign by Israel, resulting in over 2,300 casualties.
Before the outbreak of violence, there had been talks of progress in US-led efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, the kingdom has temporarily halted the process in the wake of the recent conflict.
Blinken has suggested that the Hamas attack may have played a role in disrupting Saudi-Israel normalization efforts.
Normalization with Israel would be a historic development for the latter, which achieved diplomatic ties with three other Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, in 2020. The Saudi crown prince seeks security guarantees from the United States, and discussions on this matter are part of the larger diplomatic package.
The State Department said the meeting between Blinken and Prince Mohammed also touched upon other regional issues, including Yemen, where an uneasy peace exists between the Saudi-backed government and Houthi rebels, as well as Sudan, where Saudi Arabia has collaborated with the US in mediating between warring factions.
Blinken's visit to Egypt on the same day is part of his broader regional tour aimed at pressuring Hamas and preventing the escalation of the conflict.
Egypt, serving as a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, has been involved in facilitating arrangements, including efforts to allow the evacuation of US citizens from the Gaza Strip. However, obstacles emerged as Hamas impeded the movement of individuals at the Rafah border crossing on Saturday.
Blinken urges China for influence on Iran
Blinken has also urged China to leverage its influence with Iran to promote calm in the Middle East following the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel.
During a one-hour "productive" telephone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Blinken emphasized the need for a constructive and responsible role in de-escalating tensions in the region. China, which maintains warm ties with Iran, has been urged to play a role in defusing the situation, particularly as it holds influence with Hamas and Hezbollah.
"Our message was that he thinks it's in our shared interest to stop the conflict from spreading," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Blinken's plane from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi. "He thought it could be useful if China could use its influence."
Wang responded by calling on the United States to play a constructive and responsible role, pushing for a political settlement to the conflict.
"When dealing with international hot-spot issues, major countries must adhere to objectivity and fairness, maintain calmness and restraint, and take the lead in abiding by international law," said Wang.
He further proposed the convening of an international peace meeting to achieve a broad consensus. "The fundamental outlet for the Palestinian issue lies in implementing a 'two-state solution'," said Wang.
China's official statements on the conflict have faced criticism for not explicitly naming Hamas in their condemnations of violence.
Milller said the Middle East situation serves as an example of potential collaboration between the United States and China, despite their global competition. Earlier this year, China brokered a deal that led to the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after a seven-year rupture.
In a separate call, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan urged Wang to use China's position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to advocate for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza.
