US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit the Middle East this week for regional talks focused on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department announcement Monday.
The trip runs from June 23 to 25, with stops in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In Bahrain, Rubio is expected to meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
The State Department statement said: “The Secretary will discuss a range of regional priorities, including the MoU with Iran, efforts to ensure safe and free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region.”
The agreement comes as the United States and Iran seek a negotiated solution to a series of complex issues, building on an MoU that paused hostilities between the two countries. While widely welcomed across the Middle East, the earlier conflict strained relations between Iran and its Gulf neighbors, which host US military bases. Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure in these countries have raised questions about US security commitments to its regional partners.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil and gas shipments from the Middle East, was largely closed during the conflict. Although vessel traffic has increased since the MoU was signed, it remains below pre-war levels. Data from analytics firm Kpler shows 71 ships passed through the strait over the past weekend, compared with an average of 100–131 vessels per day before the US and Israel launched their campaign against Iran in late February.
Under the MoU, during a 60-day negotiation period, Iran is barred from charging transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz. The State Department release stressed “efforts to ensure safe and free transit” there. However, Iranian officials have signaled plans to impose fees once the 60-day period ends.
