Blinken to visit Middle East for talks amid regional tensions | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
July 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025
Blinken to visit Middle East for talks amid regional tensions

USA

UNB
12 December, 2024, 12:05 am
Last modified: 12 December, 2024, 12:10 am

Related News

  • Oil wealth — a curse or a blessing?: The Middle East's trade-off with American power
  • Regime change in Iran: Will history repeat itself as a farce this time?
  • Seeds of conflict: How a historic betrayal laid the groundwork for Iran-Israel enmity
  • US moving fighter jets to Middle East as Israel-Iran war rages
  • How Israel's secret nuclear arsenal comes under spotlight amid attacks on Iran

Blinken to visit Middle East for talks amid regional tensions

The Biden administration is intensifying its diplomatic engagement in the Middle East as it navigates complex crises during its final weeks in office

UNB
12 December, 2024, 12:05 am
Last modified: 12 December, 2024, 12:10 am
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the State Department, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Washington. Photo: AP/UNB
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the State Department, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Washington. Photo: AP/UNB

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on his 12th trip to the Middle East since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict last year.

This visit marks his first since Syrian President Bashar Assad's recent departure to Russia, an event that has heightened regional uncertainty. 

Blinken's two-day itinerary will include stops in Jordan and Turkey, with discussions centered on Syria and broader efforts to end the Gaza conflict that has ravaged the Palestinian territory since October 2023.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

According to the State Department, Blinken will meet Jordanian leaders, including King Abdullah II, in Aqaba on Thursday before heading to Ankara for talks with Turkish officials on Friday. Additional regional visits remain a possibility. 

The Biden administration is intensifying its diplomatic engagement in the Middle East as it navigates complex crises during its final weeks in office.

President-elect Donald Trump has stated that the US should avoid entanglement in Syria, while the Biden administration continues to conduct airstrikes and maintain a military presence to prevent an Islamic State resurgence amid Syria's ongoing turmoil.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that Blinken's visit aims to reaffirm US support for a Syrian-led transition to a representative and accountable government.

Discussions will address minority rights, humanitarian aid delivery, terrorism prevention, and the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles. 

Blinken has signaled US willingness to back a new Syrian government meeting these conditions. While American officials maintain the foreign terrorist organization designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once linked to al-Qaida, they have not ruled out dialogue with its members. 

Ahead of his trip, Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE to reinforce US positions on Syria and stress the urgency of a Gaza ceasefire. The US continues to push for the release of hostages taken by Hamas and a framework for post-war governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza. 

Blinken's visit follows Syrian President Assad's flight to Russia over the weekend. Meanwhile, other senior US officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Army Gen Erik Kurilla are engaging with leaders across the region.

Trump's designated Middle East envoy, Stephen Witkoff, is also active in the region as the US prepares for a presidential transition.
 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken / Middle East

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infograph: TBS
    From Gulf to Southeast Asia, why Bangladeshis are facing visa denials
  • Infographic: TBS
    Dollar price plummets by Tk2.9 in a week as demand wanes
  • Screengrab blurred
    Mitford murder sparks political storm as BNP on backfoot, Jamaat and NCP pounce

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image
    In addition to 35% tariff, US demands 40% local value addition for 'Made in Bangladesh' goods
  • RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman speaks at the press briefing on a fake bomb threat on Biman Bangladesh flight on Saturday, 12 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Mother faked bomb threat on Biman flight to stop married son from flying with girlfriend: RAB
  • Screengrab blurred
    Killers bash in head of man with rock, stomp body with perverse pleasure
  • Photo: UNB
    Saima Wazed Putul ‘placed on indefinite leave’ from WHO role amid corruption allegations
  • How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
    How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
  • Bangladesh and US hold tariff talks on 11 July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Dhaka, Washington yet to agree on 20% of US tariff conditions: BGMEA

Related News

  • Oil wealth — a curse or a blessing?: The Middle East's trade-off with American power
  • Regime change in Iran: Will history repeat itself as a farce this time?
  • Seeds of conflict: How a historic betrayal laid the groundwork for Iran-Israel enmity
  • US moving fighter jets to Middle East as Israel-Iran war rages
  • How Israel's secret nuclear arsenal comes under spotlight amid attacks on Iran

Features

The 2020 Harrier's Porsche Cayenne coupe-like rear roofline, integrated LED lighting with the Modellista special bodykit all around, and a swanky front grille scream OEM Plus for the sophisticated enthusiast looking for a bigger family car that isn’t boring. PHOTO: Ahbaar Mohammad

2020 Toyota Harrier Hybrid: The Japanese Macan

17h | Wheels
The showroom was launched through a lavish event held there, and in attendance were DHS Motors’ Managing Director Nafees Khundker, CEO Imran Zaman Khan, and GMs Arman Rashid and Farhan Samad. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

GAC inaugurate flagship showroom in Dhaka

17h | Wheels
After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

2d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Why is there a mystery surrounding the death of 'Jalibi' actress Humaira?

Why is there a mystery surrounding the death of 'Jalibi' actress Humaira?

9h | TBS World
Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

10h | Others
Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

11h | TBS Today
BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

10h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net