US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as part of a mission to bolster strained relations with the oil-rich kingdom. The visit comes at a time when Saudi Arabia, a long-standing US ally, is forging closer ties with rivals of the United States.

During his three-day visit, Blinken will address several key issues, including efforts to resolve conflicts in Sudan and Yemen, the joint battle against the Islamic State group (IS), and the evolving relations between the Arab world and Israel.

Late Tuesday, Blinken held a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to the State Department, they discussed their shared commitment to advancing stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond. A statement from the State Department also highlighted Blinken’s emphasis on the importance of progress on human rights in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Furthermore, Blinken and bin Salman engaged in talks regarding the potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. A US official revealed that both parties agreed to continue discussions on this matter in the future. While a Saudi statement acknowledged the meeting, it did not provide specific details.

Tomorrow, Blinken is scheduled to travel to Riyadh to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting. The timing of his visit coincides with a period of rapidly shifting alliances in the Middle East, notably the China-brokered rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March.

As Blinken navigates this dynamic regional landscape, his visit to Saudi Arabia aims to reaffirm and strengthen diplomatic ties, ensuring stability in the Middle East and addressing shared challenges faced by the United States and its allies.