National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps of the United Kingdom today to discuss U.S.-UK cooperation on a variety of issues, including preventing regional escalation in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to defend against Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against merchant and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea. They reviewed their support for Israel as it defends itself against Hamas, and efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including through increasing deliveries of life-saving humanitarian aid. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine as it faces continued Russian aggression. They also noted progress under AUKUS, including recent initiatives on advanced capability development.

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