MANAMA — The GCC-US Ministerial Meeting, which concluded in Manama on Thursday, emphasized the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, noting that free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation, including the right of transit passage as guaranteed under international law, remains essential to regional and global security.The ministers rejected any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the Strait, and welcomed the announcement of Oman and the International Maritime Organization on the launch of an evacuation plan for over 11,000 seafarers stranded in the region. The ministerial meeting between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs and current chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani, with attendance of foreign ministers from Gulf states and GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi. Addressing the meeting, Rubio reinforced the enduring U.S. commitment to GCC security, and the ministers reaffirmed their strong commitment to the U.S.-GCC strategic partnership.In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, the foreign ministers welcomed the June 17 memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between the United States and Iran and recognized the important mediation roles played by Pakistan and Qatar.They stressed the need to maintain momentum and unity as negotiations proceed toward a more permanent end to hostilities and the shared objective of preventing Iran from ever developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon. The ministers further emphasized that lasting regional peace and security requires addressing the full spectrum of Iran’s threats, including its ballistic missiles, drones, and its support of proxies in the region.The ministers further emphasized that any trade and investment with Iran is conditional and reversible, contingent on Iran’s compliance with the MoU and the final deal, cessation of its destabilizing behavior, and creation of the conditions necessary for economic engagement.The ministers expressed support for the Syrian people in building a stable, peaceful, inclusive and sovereign country fully integrated into the region and reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. They decided to continue working with, and providing assistance to, the Syrian government to address key challenges such as countering terrorism, restoring basic services, improving its investment climate, and enabling the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced people.The ministers reaffirmed their full commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity. To that end, they welcomed ongoing bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by the United States, aimed at creating the conditions for a lasting peace and security agreement between the countries. In that respect, the ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining a negotiation process, which is not conditional on the outcomes of other conflicts.The ministers welcomed the development of a practical approach that allows for the restoration of security and Lebanese state authority and the demarcation of permanent boundaries. They stressed that full Lebanese sovereignty cannot be achieved while non-state armed groups maintain military capabilities outside the Lebanese state authority and called for the full disarmament of all such groups and the restoration of the Lebanese state’s monopoly of force, while recognizing the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in doing so.The ministers reaffirmed their support for President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, endorsed in UN Security Council resolution 2803. Rubio welcomed the historic participation of GCC members in the Board of Peace and thanked them for their commitments to advance stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. The ministers stressed the importance of the demilitarization of all non-state armed groups to enable Gaza’s reconstruction and the need to hand over responsibility to an independent, technocratic civil Palestinian committee. They commended President Trump's statement that the United States opposes annexation of the West Bank and underscored that progress on Gaza redevelopment and Palestinian Authority reforms will create the conditions for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The ministers further reaffirmed that no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to return.The ministers condemned attacks by Iranian proxies in Iraq against GCC countries, including drone attacks damaging civilian facilities, critical infrastructure, and energy security. They reiterated their support for Iraq’s new government’s efforts to restrict weapons to state control and prevent non-state armed groups from using Iraqi territory to threaten neighboring countries.The ministers also reaffirmed respect for Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolution 833. The ministers emphasized Kuwait’s sovereignty over its territorial waters and called on the Government of Iraq to uphold its bilateral and international commitments.The ministers stressed the importance of the government of Iraq 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 accordance with Iraq's relevant international obligations.