US Secretary of State Tony Blinken made his first calls to the Middle East on Thursday for discussions with the Iraqi and Jordanian foreign ministers.
Mr Blinken, who was confirmed to his position on Tuesday, spoke with Iraqi's Fuad Hussein and Jordan's Ayman Safadi.
In the call to Iraq, his first to an Arab country since taking over at the State Department, Mr Blinken offered condolences for last week's terrorist attack in Baghdad, which was claimed by ISIS.
Had a productive call with Foreign Minister @Fuad_Hussein1 to reaffirm our partnership and discuss the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue and elections. The U.S. will continue to work with Iraq to address their economic challenges in light of COVID-19 and the decline in oil prices
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 28, 2021
The two also discussed government issues and the bilateral relationship.
“They reaffirmed the principles agreed upon by the two sides in the Strategic Framework Agreement," the State Department said.
"The secretary encouraged the foreign minister and the Iraqi government to continue efforts to address the demands of the Iraqi people for a more equitable and just nation, and expressed support for proposed early elections this year."
Mr Blinken also offered to help Iraq with its economic challenges and in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
But he urged Mr Hussein to “enact fundamental economic reforms and enhance US-Iraq commercial ties to the benefit of both countries".
Mr Blinken is familiar with Iraqi politics from his days under the Obama administration and his time as deputy secretary of state.
On Thursday, the State Department announced that Tim Lenderking is now deputy assistant secretary for Iraq, Iran and Regional Multilateral Affairs.
In his call to Mr Safadi, Mr Blinken commended Jordan on its role “in advancing regional peace and stability".
“They discussed several matters of mutual interest and reaffirmed the importance of the deep bilateral partnership between our two countries,” the department said.
A pleasure speaking today with Jordanian Foreign Minister @AymanHsafadi. The U.S. values Jordan's leadership in advancing peace and stability in the region and our longstanding partnership. We look forward to deepening this relationship to accomplish our mutual goals.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 28, 2021
US President Joe Biden called Jordan's King Abdullah II in November after winning the election.
The kingdom had a frosty relationship with the administration of Donald Trump as they disagreed on its unilateral action in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which included cutting aid to the Palestinians and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.
