Key facts
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning a trip to the Middle East next week.
- Rubio is expected to visit Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain.
- A summit with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers is planned for Bahrain.
- The State Department has not yet confirmed the trip.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning a trip to the Middle East next week, according to reports from Axios citing sources. Rubio is expected to visit Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
During the trip, Rubio is anticipated to convene a summit with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Bahrain. The State Department has not yet provided an immediate confirmation regarding the planned travel.
This planned visit occurs amidst broader discussions about Iran's energy sector challenges, including aging infrastructure, underinvestment, and difficulties in accessing advanced technology and global financial systems. Even if sanctions were eased, Iran's ability to sustain oil production and attract investment faces significant hurdles, with many global customers having diversified their supply chains over the years.