US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Gulf Cooperation Council ministers in Bahrain on June 25, 2026, to reaffirm their alliance following the June 17 US-Iran agreement. While welcoming the ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, officials rejected Iranian proposals to levy transit fees on the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions remain high as Iran insists its missile program is off the table, prompting Gulf states to diversify defense partnerships amid concerns over long-term US commitment.
Rubio Gulf Cooperation Council meeting
- ▪US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Manama, Bahrain, on June 25, 2026, to discuss regional security
- ▪The ministers stated that lasting regional stability requires addressing Iran's ballistic missile program, drone capabilities, and support for armed groups
- ▪The ministers welcomed the US-Iran agreement signed on June 17, 2026, which was secured through mediation by Qatar and Pakistan
- ▪The ministerial meeting in Manama was co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani
Iran ceasefire talks Switzerland
- ▪Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran's missile program is excluded from the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and will not be negotiated
- ▪Technical negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume in Switzerland, with US Vice-President JD Vance acting as the point person
- ▪The preliminary US-Iran agreement established a 60-day hiatus in the conflict to allow negotiations to proceed in Switzerland
Strait of Hormuz toll opposition
- ▪US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and GCC ministers rejected any attempts by Iran to impose transit fees or service charges on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz
- ▪Under the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, the Strait of Hormuz remains open toll-free to commercial vessels for a period of 60 days
- ▪The International Maritime Organization suspended a voluntary evacuation program for stranded vessels after a cargo ship was struck by a projectile off Oman
- ▪Oman announced a temporary maritime corridor for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which was coordinated with the International Maritime Organization
Gulf states defense diversification
- ▪Analysts and former officials observe that GCC members are pursuing divergent defense paths, which has exacerbated differences within the coalition
- ▪Gulf countries are deepening defense ties with nations including China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and European countries to diversify security cooperation
Regional security framework negotiations
- ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani stated that Gulf countries are working on a regional security framework with Iran to foster future economic cooperation
- ▪GCC ministers declared that future trade and investment with Iran remain conditional and reversible, depending on Iran's compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding
US Middle East policy coordination
- ▪US policymaking in the Middle East under the Trump administration involves multiple actors playing various roles, including Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Tom Barrack
- ▪Ambassador Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey, is also serving as the envoy to Syria and Iraq
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