Antony Blinken

"How can the U.S. guarantee aid to Gaza won’t be diverted toward replenishing the Hamas arsenal?"

Blinken was warned that such funding would be inevitably redirected toward terrorist activities.

"I resist putting labels on most relationships, including this one, because it’s complex."

"That’s certainly a goal."

"Our diplomats will challenge the practices of countries whose action – or inaction – is setting the world back."

"We need to do that precisely so we fully understand what happened, in order to have the best shot possible preventing it from happening again."

"We thought that the U.S. side will follow the necessary diplomatic protocols."

"We look forward to the opportunity to lay out in very clear terms to our Chinese counterparts some of the concerns that we have about the actions they're taking."

"It was important to us that this administration's first meeting with Chinese officials be held on American soil."

Blinken's letter said the 90-day reduction violence proposal is "intended to prevent a spring offensive by the Taliban."

The administration rolled out its thinking in a 24-page document outlining Biden's national security policies along with the first major foreign policy speech by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

It was in the interest of both countries to ensure a "safe, orderly, and humane approach to migration."

The United States will pay more than $200 million.

"Well, at some point, presumably, if there's going to be any engagement on this, that would have to require diplomacy. That's what we're in the business of."

"This includes the release of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed so that they are able to return home to their families in the United States."

"When we are challenged, including when we challenge ourselves, we're doing it in full daylight with full transparency."

Trump abandoned the deal in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions, leading Iran to begin violating its terms.

"The world is watching us intently right now."

The 100-member Senate backed Blinken by 67-17.

The full Senate would vote on Blinken at noon EST (1600 GMT) on Tuesday.