Rubio to visit Bahrain and reassure Gulf ally amid Iran war, sources say
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning to visit Bahrain in the coming weeks, Arab, Western and US officials familiar with the matter have told Middle East Eye, in a trip that would be seen as a show of support for the kingdom's ruling Al Khalifa monarchy and a signal of Washington's commitment to the Gulf.
The Arab official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak with the media, told MEE that Rubio's visit would be viewed as a vote of confidence in Bahrain from the Trump administration and a sign of support for the wider Gulf region.
The US official, who also requested anonymity, told MEE that "Rubio's visit would be a sign of support to the Khalifa family and demonstration of its importance as a US ally to Iran."
The visit would mark the first by a senior US official to the Gulf since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.
Read more: Rubio to visit Bahrain and reassure Gulf ally amid Iran war, sources say
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a signing ceremony with Bahrain's foreign minister at the State Department in Washington on 16 July 2025 (Umit Bektas/Reuters)