U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press briefing at the White House on May 5, 2026. Rubio will head to the Middle East this week to discuss the recently signed Iran deal with three Gulf state partners. (The White House)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to the Middle East this week to visit three Persian Gulf nations that host U.S. forces and are critical to American power in the region.
The trip to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait comes as Arab leaders consider the future of the region’s security infrastructure in the wake of the U.S.-Iran war and last week’s agreement meant to end it.
For years, the countries Rubio will visit have allowed the U.S. to maintain a military presence with the idea that it would deter attacks from Iran. But analysts have said the war shattered that assumption.
A number of U.S. bases in the Middle East served as critical hubs during the war with Iran. They include Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
In response to the deadly American and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 that launched the war, Iran fired tens of thousands of missiles and drones into neighboring countries, causing extensive damage to the U.S. bases as well as civilian infrastructure.
Gulf nations also suffered acutely from Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which they rely on to export oil and gas products.
However, the agreement that ended the war poses new challenges for some Gulf leaders. The memorandum, which launched a 60-day period of negotiations on a broader agreement, has prompted fears that the talks could normalize relations with Iran and strengthen their longtime adversary.
The memorandum calls for the United States to remove its forces “from the proximity” of Iran within 30 days of a final agreement, though U.S. officials have not explained what that would mean in practice. The provision does not specifically address major U.S. bases in Gulf states, and U.S. officials have said American military personnel and assets will remain in the region.
Some Arab leaders are also concerned about the memorandum’s proposal for a $300 billion reconstruction and economic development fund that they fear could be used to build up Iran’s military.
U.S. officials have said that no American taxpayer money will go toward the fund and that it would depend on a “transformation in Iranian behavior.”
While the agreement is clear that the U.S. will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, it does not mention other types of weapons, including ballistic missiles, which Iran has used to attack its neighbors in recent months.
President Donald Trump said last week that it would be “unfair” for Iran to be deprived of ballistic missiles if other nations have them.
According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio plans to discuss the Iran deal, the Strait of Hormuz and other regional priorities during his trip, which started Tuesday and ends Thursday. While in Bahrain, he’ll also meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran continue to hold technical talks, including over the future of Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
The first round of talks concluded Sunday, with Vice President JD Vance saying Iran had agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit the country’s nuclear facilities.
The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday issued a 60-day sanctions waiver temporarily allowing Iran to sell its oil and gas exports.
