US President Joe Biden on Wednesday praised Israel's role in negotiating a historic maritime deal with Lebanon during President Isaac Herzog's visit to the White House.
"President Biden praised Israel's statecraft and their courage, and noted that the agreement will set the stage for a much more stable and prosperous region...as well as being able to harness vital new energy sources for the world," said John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
Lebanon and Israel ended a long-running dispute over their contested maritime borders this month, after breakthroughs in Washington-mediated negotiations.
US special envoy Amos Hochstein is expected to visit Lebanon to attend the ceremonial signing of the maritime agreement between the respective countries.
The White House also reaffirmed its commitment to Israel to block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and encouraged its further integration into the wider Middle East, Mr Kirby said.
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Lebanese protesters on a motorboat sail in front of an Israeli navy vessel during a demonstration on September 4. AP Photo -
They are asserting Lebanon's right to its maritime oil and gas fields. AP Photo -
The banner on the Lebanese protesters' yacht reads: 'No compromises. No waivers. No negligence. Our maritime resources belong to us.' AP Photo -
The maritime border dispute flared up in early June after Israel moved a production vessel to the Karish offshore field. AFP -
Lebanese soldiers patrol near an Israeli navy vessel during the demonstration. AP Photo -
Protesters with slogans on their boats asserting Lebanon's right to its offshore gas wealth. AFP -
The flotilla off the Lebanese town of Naqoura. AP Photo -
The protest boats approach a buoy marking the sea border between Israel and Lebanon. AFP
As Mr Herzog left the White House on Wednesday, he said that Iran was "crushing its own citizens, supplying Russia with lethal weapons that killed Ukrainians, and going forward with the nuclear programme".
The discussion comes a day after Mr Herzog's office claimed to share photo evidence to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of Russia using advanced Iranian drones in its attacks on Ukraine, the Times of Israel reported.
"I would be exposing more of the fact that Iranian weapons are used against innocent civilians in Ukraine,” Mr Herzog said on Tuesday.
US and EU officials have accused Russia of using Iranian drones to attack civilians and energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
The tightening of relations between Moscow and Tehran since the war in Ukraine began have further escalated international tension as Iran continues a violent crackdown against anti-regime protesters after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22.
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An unveiled woman stands on top of a vehicle as thousands make their way towards Aichi cemetery in Saqez, Mahsa Amini's home town, to mark 40 days since her death. AFP -
Protesters attempt to dodge projectiles fired at them during clashes at Iran's Islamic Azad University in Tehran. AFP -
Protesters gather at Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran. AFP -
A man, bottom left, fires a weapon during the clashes at Islamic Azad University. AFP -
Protesters chant at a vigil for Amini at the entrance of the Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology in Tehran. Reuters -
Iranian police arrive to disperse a protest marking 40 days since Amini's death. AP -
People block an intersection during a protest to mark 40 days since Amini's death. AP -
People march down the motorway towards Aichi cemetery near Saqez, where Amini is buried. Reuters -
People march towards Aichi cemetary. Reuters -
Protesters walk towards the cemetery. Reuters -
A view of demonstrators walking to the cemetery. Reuters -
Cars line the street as people march towards the cemetery. Reuters -
Protesters march towards the cemetery 40 days after Amini's death. Reuters
The White House briefly addressed the week's deadly Israeli raids in West Bank's old city of Nablus.
Israeli police shot dead five Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in overnight raids while 20 were wounded, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported.
"[Mr Biden] emphasised the importance of taking steps to de-escalate the security situation in West Bank and underscored that a negotiated two-state solution remains the best avenue to achieve a lasting peace," said Mr Kirby.
"He also underlined the need to take continued steps to improve the lives of Palestinians with peace, security and prosperity in the region."
Mr Biden also addressed a rise in anti-Semitic attacks and remarks, which have increasingly become a topic of US concern after rap artist Kanye West's string of hateful attacks on the Jewish community.
