Latest Antony Blinken News
US envoy for Afghanistan steps down after withdrawal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan is stepping down following the chaotic American withdrawal from the country, the State Department said Monday. Zalmay Khalilzad will leave the post this week after more than three years on the job under both the...
Iran: US should lift sanctions to prove it wants talks
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s president said Monday the United States should lift the sanctions on his country to prove it is serious about restarting stalled nuclear talks in Vienna. In an interview with state TV, Ebrahim Raisi said Iran is after “goal-oriented”...
Reaction to Colin Powell's death from US and world figures
WASHINGTON (AP) — World figures are reacting to the death of Colin Powell, a Vietnam War veteran who rose to the rank of four-star general and became the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and then secretary of state. Powell died Monday of COVID-19 complications at age 84. ...
US, allies step up pressure on Iran to return to nuke talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and its closest partners are stepping up pressure on Iran to return to stalled nuclear negotiations, warning that it will face greater international isolation, new economic penalties and possibly military action if it forges ahead with its atomic program....
Female former Afghan lawmakers, judges meet Greek PM
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Six female former lawmakers and judges from Afghanistan were received Friday by Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, after fleeing their homeland in the wake of the Taliban takeover. The three former lawmakers and three former judges...
Israel quietly advances settlements with little US pushback
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is quietly advancing controversial settlement projects in and around Jerusalem without making major announcements that could anger the Biden administration. Critics say the latest moves, while incremental, pave the way for rapid growth once the political climate...
US wins seat on UN rights council in uncontested election
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States won a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council that former president Donald Trump denounced and quit, joining 17 other nations elected in uncontested votes Thursday that were criticized for guaranteeing spots to countries with abysmal rights records. ...
Greece, US expand defense pact in face of Turkey tensions
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Greece signed a deal Thursday expanding their defense cooperation agreement to grant U.S. forces broader use of Greek bases, as that nation deals with tensions between it and neighboring Turkey. The deal, signed in Washington by...
US, Israel say they are exploring a 'Plan B' for Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Israel said Wednesday they are exploring a “Plan B” for dealing with Iran if the Islamic Republic does not return in good faith to negotiations to salvage the languishing landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Secretary of State Antony...
US does not support normalization of relations with Syria
BEIRUT (AP) — The United States does not support efforts to normalize relations with the government of President Bashar Assad or lift sanctions imposed on Damascus until there is progress in the political process in the war-torn country, the U.S. secretary of state said Wednesday. ...
