The U.S. Senate confirmed Tony Blinken as secretary of state Tuesday in a 78-22 vote. Blinken has said he will prioritize multilateralism and suggested during his confirmation hearing the U.S. is open to reentering the Iran nuclear deal. He has also promised a tougher stance against Russia and the continuation of a hard-line approach on China and Venezuela.
In other news from the State Department, a spokesperson said it is reviewing the designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels by the Trump administration as a terrorist group. On Monday, the Treasury Department said it was authorizing financial transactions with the Houthis for the next month, after aid groups and the U.N. warned the move would cut off Yemenis from much-needed aid and essential transactions.