Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed regional developments in West Asia over the phone.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that during the talks, the parties reviewed the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of reducing escalation and achieving a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

 The phone call came following Israeli escalation over the past two days, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, was killed along with his bodyguard early Wednesday when their residence in the Iranian capital of Tehran was hit by a missile strike. Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has accused Israel of carrying out the attack vowing harsh punishment for Israel in retaliation for the killing.