Blinken: There Will Be Consequences For Further Houthi Attacks

Wires carrying comments from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that, "Houthi attacks on shipping in red sea have to stop," and warning that, "there will be consequences," should they continue.

• Blinken says, "our strong preference is that Houthis get the message and stop attacks."
• Speaking ahead of a trip to Israel which will cap a major tour of the region designed to lower escalating tensions, Blinken says he, "found leaders in Middle East determined to prevent wider conflict."
• According to Blinken, "all [leaders] recognized hurdles, nobody thinks anything will happen overnight," adding that he, "will share with Israeli leaders what he has heard on trip."
• Touching on the reported divergence between the US and Israel on winding down high-intensity operations and working towards a two-party solution, Blinken says he, "will press Israel on how imperative it is to do more to protect civilians," and he, "will talk about how we see the future."
• Finally, on the prospect of the conflict expanding into a regional war, Blinken says: "It is not in the interests of anyone - Lebanon, Israel, Hezbollah - to see this conflict escalate."