Marco Rubio’s Middle East Visit Amid Ongoing US-Iran Peace Talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to the Middle East, aiming to engage with Gulf states as discussions concerning peace between the US and Iran are underway in Switzerland.

Beginning June 23, Rubio will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Bahrain, continuing his trip until June 25. This information comes from a statement made by State Department Spokesperson Thomas Piggott.

Piggott noted, “He will discuss a range of regional priorities, including the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, efforts to ensure full and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of regional peace and stability.”

Last week, Iranian and US leaders formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU), initiating a 60-day timeframe for a final agreement, with talks that began on Sunday in Switzerland. Representing the US, Vice President JD Vance led the delegation but has since left Switzerland, although technical discussions are expected to persist.

While in Bahrain, Rubio plans to meet with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as they aim to address shared interests and priorities in the region.