GCC-US talks emphasise regional security, lasting peace

Foreign ministers from the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council countries have met in Bahrain, reaffirming their commitment to regional security and their longstanding strategic partnership.

The GCC-US Ministerial Meeting was co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

In a joint statement, the ministers welcomed the recent signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, as well as the mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar.

They stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and unity in negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to hostilities and preventing Iran from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The ministers emphasised that lasting peace requires addressing broader concerns, including Iran’s missile and drone programme, and support for regional proxies.

They also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring unconditional and unrestricted navigation, without any tolls, fees or attempts to assert control over the Strait.

The ministers added that any trade and investment with Iran would remain conditional and reversible, depending on the country's compliance with the MoU and any final agreement, the cessation of its destabilising activities and the creation of conditions conducive to economic engagement.

The meeting also focused on other regional issues, with ministers expressing support for stability and reconstruction efforts in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

They backed ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing long-term peace in Lebanon and reaffirmed support for plans to end the conflict in Gaza and support its recovery.

Rubio welcomed the GCC states' historic participation in the Board of Peace and thanked them for their commitments to advancing stabilisation, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

The ministers also condemned attacks by Iran-backed groups in Iraq against Gulf countries and voiced support for efforts by the new Iraqi government to strengthen state control over weapons and improve regional security.