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Marco Rubio told Gulf leaders in Bahrain that Washington will keep them closely involved in talks with Iran. The assurance matters because Gulf states want any future deal to address their security, shipping and sovereignty concerns.
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Manama,UPDATED: Jun 26, 2026 00:10 IST
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said ties between the United States and its Gulf Arab partners remain "rock solid", amid concern among some of them that they could be left out of talks aimed at ending the war with Iran. Rubio made the remarks in Bahrain at the end of a three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain.
His visit was aimed at assuring members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, that the Trump administration would stand by them during negotiations to end the war that President Donald Trump and Israel launched on February 28. The conflict disrupted the region's oil exports and also led to several Gulf countries being hit directly by Iranian missiles and drones.
Rubio said GCC members had raised specific concerns and ideas with the US side. "They've shared with us some very concrete concerns, ideas," he said. "And when I say concern, the biggest concern is that they really just want to be informed every step along the way as we enter these negotiations at both the technical and political levels."
He said Washington wanted the Gulf countries to be part of the process. "We want them to be involved and we want the views of all these countries to be reflected," Rubio said. "We don't want to and will not be making any decisions or commitments that in any way undermines the prosperity, stability or security of our Gulf partners."
The US and the six-member GCC - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - later issued a joint statement highlighting areas of agreement on the goals of a deal with Iran. The statement said both sides "stressed the need to maintain momentum and unity as negotiations proceed toward a more permanent end to hostilities and the shared objective of preventing Iran from ever developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon."
The two sides also opposed any attempt by Iran to impose tolls or fees, or to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. They welcomed an Omani initiative to create a safe lane to evacuate stranded sailors from the waterway, and said any economic benefit Iran might receive would be "conditional and reversible, contingent on Iran's compliance" with the temporary agreement and any final deal.
Even so, there were signs of unease. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said any future understandings or arrangements must take into account the requirements of Gulf countries to protect their interests and ensure "their security and stability". He added that such arrangements must be based on international law, respect for sovereignty, good neighbourliness and non-interference in internal affairs, so that they help strengthen regional security and stability.
Before Rubio addressed the group, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said the memorandum of understanding was welcome but that many questions were still unresolved. "While this progress is encouraging, it is critically important that Iran fully adheres to its obligations," he said, adding that this included preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, preserving freedom of navigation, ending missile and drone attacks, stopping support for proxy groups and giving up attempts to interfere in neighbouring countries.
Rubio's trip ended with public assurances from Washington and a joint statement on shared goals, but Gulf leaders also made clear that they want to be fully consulted and that any future deal with Iran must address their security concerns.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jun 26, 2026 00:10 IST
