Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Saudi counterpart that the U.S. “again condemned the recent Huthi terrorist attacks against the Kingdom” and exchanged views on “the UN’s proposal for a Ramadan truce in Yemen and efforts to launch a new, more inclusive and comprehensive peace process”. Blinken also reaffirmed “the U.S. commitment to bolstering Saudi Arabia’s defences against threats in the region” and the two “discussed the challenge posed by Iran’s nuclear program”. The following day, meeting with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Blinken expressed determination to help the UAE defend itself against the Huthis, adding: “We will be consulting on Iran, another shared challenge, the status of the talks on the JCPOA, but also the work we can do together and need to do together to strengthen our collective security”.