US Secretary of State Rubio to visit Gulf amid Iran talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is embarking on a three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The visit focuses on ongoing negotiations with Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East and addressing regional security concerns.

This marks Rubio's first trip to the region since the U.S. and Israel initiated hostilities on February 28. According to a statement from State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, Rubio's agenda includes discussions on the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to guarantee secure and free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the broader importance of peace and stability in the region.

In Bahrain on Thursday, Secretary Rubio is scheduled to convene with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to deliberate on common priorities with the region's member states. The visit comes at a critical juncture, as the U.S. seeks to rebuild trust with Gulf allies who have faced retaliatory actions from Iran following U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Iran has previously accused Kuwait and Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet, of permitting American military operations from their territories. The negotiations with Iran, based on the memorandum of understanding, give negotiators a 60-day window to finalize an agreement. A key point of contention is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes, and which Iran has effectively controlled.

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the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region