US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will embark on an official visit to three Gulf states on Tuesday, amid diplomatic efforts with Iran to put an end to the conflict that erupted in the Middle East in February, according to Al-Arabiya English.
Gulf Tour
The upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain will mark Rubio’s first trip to the region since the outbreak of the war, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott reported.
During the three-day trip, which runs through Thursday, Rubio will hold talks on a memorandum of understanding with Iran, as well as measures to ensure the safe and uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The discussion will also tackle the significance of maintaining peace and stability across the region.
On Thursday, Rubio is also set to meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council, where discussions are expected to address shared regional priorities and areas of mutual concern across the Gulf.
War in Iran
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran responded with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead and triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Repeated Accusations
Tehran has repeatedly accused Kuwait and Bahrain of enabling Washington to use their territories as launch points for attacks as both Gulf countries host the US Fifth Fleet.
However, Gulf countries dismissed these claims, emphasizing that they had not authorized the use of their territories for any military operations against Iran.
Last week, Iran and the United States signed an agreement to end the conflict. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which gives negotiators 60 days to sign a final peace deal, offered some relief and reopened the Strait of Hormuz.
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