TEL AVIV, January 9. /TASS/. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in Israel, and told him that it is necessary to increase pressure on Iran, the IDF press office said.

"To increase pressure on Iran is critically important and can prevent an escalation in the region and in other areas," Gallant said.

During the meeting, Gallant and Blinken discussed the progress of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and the growing tensions in the Middle East, including the "Iranian aggression against Israel, carried out via its satellites."