A ministerial meeting between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council was held in Manama, co-chaired by Marco Rubio and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
The meeting brought together the foreign ministers of the GCC member states to discuss key regional security issues, including Iran, Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, while reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and the Gulf alliance.
The ministers reaffirmed their support for President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which was endorsed through United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
According to a statement from the United States Department of State, Secretary Rubio welcomed the historic participation of GCC member states in the Peace Board and thanked them for their commitment to advancing Gaza’s stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction.
The ministers emphasized the importance of disarming all non-state armed groups to make Gaza’s reconstruction possible and called for governance responsibilities to be transferred to an independent, technocratic Palestinian civilian committee.
They also welcomed President Trump’s statement opposing the annexation of the West Bank, stressing that progress in rebuilding Gaza and reforming the Palestinian Authority would create the conditions for a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
The ministers reaffirmed that no one should be forced to leave Gaza, while emphasizing that those who choose to depart must retain the right to return.
They also welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 17 between the United States and Iran, praising the mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz was also welcomed, with participants stressing that free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation, including the right of transit guaranteed under international law, remains essential for regional and global security.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political, economic, and security alliance comprising six Arab states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.
