US Seeks ‘Just and Lasting Peace’ for Ukraine, Blinken Says 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech at the Helsinki City Hall, in Helsinki, Finland June 2, 2023. (Lehtikuva/via Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech at the Helsinki City Hall, in Helsinki, Finland June 2, 2023. (Lehtikuva/via Reuters)
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US Seeks ‘Just and Lasting Peace’ for Ukraine, Blinken Says 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech at the Helsinki City Hall, in Helsinki, Finland June 2, 2023. (Lehtikuva/via Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech at the Helsinki City Hall, in Helsinki, Finland June 2, 2023. (Lehtikuva/via Reuters)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday the United States was working with Ukraine and other allies to build consensus around the core elements of a "just and lasting peace" to end the war with Russia. 

Washington would also encourage initiatives by other countries to bring about an end to the conflict, as long as they uphold the United Nations Charter and Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. 

"We will support efforts – whether by Brazil, China, or any other nation – if they help find a way to a just and lasting peace," Blinken said in a speech. 

Still, Washington would continue to support Ukraine militarily as the prerequisite for meaningful diplomacy is that Kyiv is capable of deterring and defending against any future aggression. 

"Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine has been a strategic failure," Blinken said. 

Speaking in Finland, the NATO alliance's newest member, Blinken said the US would help build a "Ukrainian military of the future". 

That meant "a modern air force, integrated air and missile defense, advanced tanks and armored vehicles, the national capacity to produce ammunition, and the training and support to keep forces and equipment combat ready". 



Sources Reveal to Asharq Al-Awsat Details of Iranian Message Sent to Israel

An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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Sources Reveal to Asharq Al-Awsat Details of Iranian Message Sent to Israel

An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian man rides a motorbike past a billboard (2-R) depicting (L-R) late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at the Enqelab Square, in Tehran, Iran, 07 October 2024. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Iran has sent a message to Israel through European channels about its possible response to any attack that comes from Israel, diplomatic sources said Friday.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iranian message sent indirectly to Israel says that Iran would “shrug off a limited Israeli strike.”

Yet Tehran warned that “it would have no choice but to cross the red line” if its oil or nuclear facilities come under attack.

The Middle East remains on high alert for further escalation, awaiting Israel's response to an Iranian missile barrage on Oct. 1. Indications that the response is near rose this week after reports said Tel Aviv was able to reduce its differences with the US administration.

Israeli reports say the response would come during Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s visit to the US on Tuesday.

The Iranian message was sent as Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Turkmenistan for an international meeting.

“Iran does not want war,” he said, but warned that Tehran “would respond if it came under attack.”

He also urged Israel to end its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.