sport news US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pictured in Qatar ahead of World Cup ... trends now
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Qatar on Monday to take the country's World Cup opener against Wales and hold talks as regional tensions remain high amid Iran's rapid advancement of its nuclear program and nationwide protests shaking the Islamic Republic.
Blinken, a soccer fan and player himself, planned to attend the evening Group B match between the US and Wales. Blinken's affinity for soccer can be traced back to his childhood, part of which was spent growing up in Paris.
He also will be holding crucial diplomatic talks with authorities in Qatar, one of the US' trusted interlocutors with Iran. Doha shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran.
Iran also provided airspace routes for Qatar Airways flights and supplied food shipments to Qatar amid a yearslong boycott of Doha by four Arab countries.
Blinken's visit comes as part of a strategic dialogue with Qatar, which also hosts some 8,000 American troops at its massive Al-Udeid Air Base that's the forward headquarters of the US military's Central Command. The base served as a key node in America's chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuation of Afghan civilians.
Iran, America's Group B rival, fell to England in its World Cup opener, 6-2. Before the game, Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem, while many Iranian fans could be heard booing amid ongoing conflicts between Tehran and feminist protestors in the country.
Iran has been wracked by more than two months of anti-regime demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for failing to wear a compulsory hijab.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center) landed in Qatar to take the country's World Cup opener against Wales and hold talks as regional tensions remain high amid Iran's rapid advancement of its nuclear program and nationwide protests shaking the Islamic Republic
Blinken's visit comes as part of a strategic dialogue with Qatar, which also hosts some 8,000 American troops at its massive Al-Udeid Air Base (pictured) that's the forward headquarters of the US military's Central Command. The base served as a key node in America's chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuation of Afghan civilians
Iranian soccer fans hold up signs reading Woman Life Freedom and Freedom For Iran, prior to the World Cup group B soccer match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in in Doha
'Qatar is a steadfast and important partner to the United States, and US-Qatar ties continue to grow,' said Daniel Benaim, a deputy assistant secretary for the Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the State Department before Blinken's trip.
'Together, we've made important progress on a range of issues, including facilitating the travel of at-risk Afghans to the United States for new beginnings, strengthening regional security, and expanding commercial investment ties between our countries.'
One major issue to discuss is Iran. Nonproliferation experts say Iran now has enough uranium enriched up to 60 percent - a short step from weapons-grade levels - to reprocess into fuel for a nuclear weapon if it choose.
Tehran insists its program is peaceful, though it has drastically expanded its program since the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Meanwhile, Iran is being rocked by monthslong protests following the death of a 22-year-old woman who had been earlier arrested by the country's morality police.
A crackdown by authorities and violence surrounding the demonstrations have seen at least 419 people killed, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that's been monitoring the protests. Iran is playing at the World Cup as well and will face the US on November 29.
Iranian soccer fans pose for a selfie prior to the World Cup group B soccer match between England and Iran
The tournament is already shining a light on gender issues in the Middle East – particularly the plight of women in Iran, who are banned from seeing live soccer matches in their home country.
To 27-year-old Mariam, the World Cup match ticket was a precious gift. A sports fanatic, she traveled to the World Cup in Qatar from Tehran to catch Iran's opening game Monday against England, her first live soccer match.
'I've never attended a football match in my life so I had to take this chance,' said Mariam, a student of international
