Manama, June 25: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Bahrain on Thursday. This marks the final stop of his three-day Gulf tour aimed at reassuring Gulf nations concerned about the preliminary agreement between the Trump administration and Iran.
According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio will meet with Bahraini officials and representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This trip is his first regional diplomatic mission following last week’s U.S.-Iran preliminary agreement.
During meetings in the UAE and Kuwait, Rubio sought to assure that the proposed deal does not overly favor Iran. Gulf nations worry that potential concessions to Iran under the agreement could enhance its regional power.
Some Gulf countries have already faced Iranian attacks during the recent U.S.-Israel and Iran conflict, making them particularly cautious about the implications of this deal.
Speaking to reporters in Kuwait, Rubio stated, “We will not do anything that undermines the security of our long-standing allies in the region.”
The U.S. has maintained a long-standing security and military partnership with Gulf nations, which host significant American military bases. Therefore, any agreement between the U.S. and Iran could impact the balance of power throughout the Middle East.
On June 22, the U.S. State Department announced Rubio’s three-day tour, which includes visits to the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23 to 25. During this time, he will discuss several critical issues related to regional priorities, including the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to ensure safe and uninterrupted maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
In Bahrain, Secretary Rubio will also meet with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to discuss shared interests and priorities in the region.
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