US Secretary of State Antony Blinken AP
"We have reports that several Americans were killed. We're working overtime to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans, and there again, we're working to verify those reports," Blinken told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union."
Blinken expressed his strong condemnation of the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants. "The world should be revolted. This is a massive terrorist attack that is gunning down Israeli civilians in their towns, in their homes, dragging them across the border, and making hostages of them. No country should live in fear of terrorists; that is intolerable for any democracy," he said.
Responding to growing Republican criticism of the White House's decision to allow the transfer of approximately $6 billion of Iran's oil revenue in exchange for the release of five American detainees, Blinken addressed concerns of "appeasement" ahead of the surprise attack on Israel.
Critics, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, argue that the funds free up Iran to provide greater financial support to extremists like Hamas.
Blinken clarified during an interview with ABC's "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos, "Not a single dollar from that account has been spent to date and, in any event, is very closely and carefully regulated by the Treasury Department."
He emphasized that the funds are designated solely for humanitarian purposes and do not involve US tax dollars.
Furthermore, Blinken confirmed that the United States has not seen evidence implicating Iran in the attack on Israel.
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