A joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States commenced on Thursday in Manama, Bahrain. The high-level gathering brings together foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to discuss regional security and strategic cooperation. Rubio’s visit marks the final leg of a three-day Gulf tour aimed at securing backing from Arab allies for the preliminary US-Iran peace deal.
During the talks, officials are expected to address shared regional priorities, including the recent memorandum of understanding with Iran and efforts to ensure full and safe transit through the critical Strait of Hormuz. The diplomatic push highlights Washington’s commitment to maintaining its strategic security architecture in the Middle East while addressing the concerns of Gulf states regarding regional stability and the future implications of the proposed accord.
