A joint Gulf-American statement has affirmed that achieving lasting peace and security in the region requires countering all forms of Iranian threats, including its ballistic missiles, drones, and support for proxies in the region, stressing that any trade and investment with Iran is conditional on its compliance with the memorandum of understanding and a final agreement, and the cessation of its destabilising behaviour.
The ministerial meeting between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council was held on 25 June 2026 in the city of Manama, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and current Chair of the GCC Ministerial Council, with the participation of the GCC foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi.
Secretary of State Rubio reaffirmed the United States' steadfast commitment to the security of GCC member states, while the ministers renewed their strong commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and the GCC.
The ministers welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on 17 June, and commended the mediation roles played by Pakistan and Qatar. They stressed the need to maintain the momentum and unity of negotiations in order to reach a permanent end to hostilities and achieve the shared objective of preventing Iran from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon in any form.
The ministers also affirmed that achieving lasting peace and security in the region requires countering all forms of Iranian threats, including its ballistic missiles, drones, and support for proxies in the region.
The ministers further stressed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, noting that unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation, including the right of transit passage guaranteed under international law, remains essential to regional and global security. The ministers rejected the imposition of any fees, taxes, or attempts to exert control over the strait, and welcomed the announcement by the Sultanate of Oman and the International Maritime Organization of the commencement of a plan to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the region.
The ministers also affirmed that any trade and investment with Iran is conditional and reversible, remaining contingent on Iran's compliance with the memorandum of understanding and a final agreement, the cessation of its destabilising behaviour, and the creation of the conditions necessary for economic cooperation.
The ministers expressed their support for the Syrian people in building a stable, secure, inclusive, and sovereign state that is fully integrated into its regional environment, and reaffirmed their commitment to Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
They resolved to continue working with and providing assistance to the Syrian government in addressing key challenges, such as combating terrorism, restoring basic services, improving the investment climate, and enabling the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
The ministers reaffirmed their full commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity. To that end, they welcomed the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, sponsored by the United States, aimed at creating the conditions for a lasting peace and security agreement between the two countries. In this regard, the ministers stressed the importance of preserving the negotiating process and ensuring that it is not linked to any other disputes.
The ministers welcomed the development of a practical approach that allows for the restoration of security and the extension of Lebanese state authority, and the demarcation of permanent borders. They affirmed that full Lebanese sovereignty cannot be achieved while non-state armed groups retain military capabilities outside the authority of the Lebanese state, and called for the complete disarmament of all such groups and the restoration of the Lebanese state's monopoly on the use of force, taking into account the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in achieving this goal.
The ministers reaffirmed their support for the comprehensive plan put forward by President Trump to end the conflict in Gaza, as endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803. Secretary of State Rubio welcomed the historic participation of GCC states in the "Peace Council" and expressed appreciation for their commitments to advancing stabilisation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
The ministers stressed the importance of disarming all non-state armed groups in a manner that enables the reconstruction of Gaza, and the necessity of transferring responsibility to an independent Palestinian technocratic civilian committee.
They commended President Trump's statement regarding the United States' opposition to the annexation of the West Bank, and stressed that progress on Gaza's redevelopment and Palestinian Authority reforms would create the conditions conducive to a credible pathway for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their state. The ministers also reaffirmed that no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and that those who wish to leave will have every right to return.
The ministers condemned attacks carried out by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq against GCC member states, including drone attacks that caused damage to civilian facilities, critical infrastructure, and energy security. The ministers again expressed their support for the efforts of the new Iraqi government to confine weapons to state hands and prevent non-state armed groups from using Iraqi territory to threaten neighbouring countries.
The ministers also reaffirmed their respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait, in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 833.
The ministers stressed Kuwait's sovereignty over its territorial waters and called on the Iraqi government to fulfil its bilateral and international obligations.
The ministers stressed the importance of the Iraqi government taking all necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of all diplomatic missions in Iraq and to protect them from any threats or attacks, in a manner consistent with Iraq's relevant international obligations.