Rubio Locks in Gulf Allies on Iran Before Next Nuclear Negotiation Move

Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain on June 22, 2026—days after testifying to Congress that the U.S. has not offered Tehran sanctions relief in ongoing nuclear talks. The sequential timing of his budget defense before lawmakers and his Gulf circuit suggests a consultative push with regional allies positioned at different distances from Iran before Washington signals its next diplomatic move.