Blinken speaks to Saudi FM about support for Kyiv, risk posed by Safer oil tanker spill

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken dialled Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Tuesday (local time). According to statement released by State Department spokesperson Ned Price, both diplomats discussed efforts to avert ecomic, environmental, and humanitarian threats posed by Safer oil tanker in Red Sea region. It is to te that on March 24, 1989, an oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska spilling 11 million gallons of oil.

According to a report by US Dam Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program, a small portion of oil from Exxon Valdez spill still lingers in patches beneath Prince William Sound. area, where incident happened more than three deces ago, is in an ecologically sensitive region. It is considered largest environmental disaster in US history. Furr, during call, US State Secretary thanked Saudi Foreign Minister for his nation's efforts to strengn and extend truce in Yemen.   

Blinken n talked about ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and stressed importance of international support for war-ravd nation. He ted that Russian President Vlimir Putin’s brutal war is causing a food crisis. Besides, diplomats discussed challenge posed by Iran’s nuclear program and its destabilising behaviour in region. Blinken underlined opportunities for greater cooperation on regional issues. 

Earlier in March this year, both diplomats held a similar telephonic conversation where y discussed challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear program and building strong international support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while holding President Putin accountable for his unprovoked and "unlawful war". In October last year, Saudi FM h a trip to Washington where he held an in-person meeting with Prince Faisal.  

Im: AP