The United States is deepening its diplomatic and military ties with Gulf allies, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held key discussions with defense officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain over the weekend. The talks coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Middle East visit, highlighting Washington’s focus on regional security, the Gaza conflict, and efforts to counter Iranian aggression.

High-Level Defense Talks

On Saturday, Secretary Hegseth spoke separately with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Khalid bin Salman, and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani. The discussions followed Thursday’s meetings in Washington between Bahrain’s National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, senior White House officials, and Pentagon leaders.

The flurry of engagements underscores the Trump administration’s close coordination with Gulf partners as tensions escalate in the region.

U.S.-Saudi Defense Cooperation

Hegseth and Khalid bin Salman reaffirmed the strategic defense partnership between Washington and Riyadh. The Pentagon praised Saudi Arabia’s contributions to regional security, emphasizing continued collaboration on shared threats such as terrorism and Iran-backed militias.

Their discussion also touched on Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting an upcoming summit on Ukraine, which is expected to include U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials.

Biden Excluded from U.S.-Russia Talks

In a surprise diplomatic move, President Donald Trump announced a “lengthy and highly productive” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling that their first face-to-face meeting will likely be hosted in Saudi Arabia. Secretary Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are traveling to the kingdom to prepare for the summit, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to attend.

European leaders, particularly France, have expressed frustration over being excluded from the U.S.-Russia negotiations, with Paris reportedly planning an emergency summit in response.

Gaza Ceasefire in Question

The Gaza conflict was another key topic in Hegseth’s discussions with Gulf officials. The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, saw Hamas release hostages in exchange for a pause in hostilities. However, Phase II, which includes the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, remains uncertain due to stalled negotiations.

Saudi Arabia is set to host an Arab summit on February 20, where Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and turn the territory into a Mediterranean resort is expected to be debated. While the plan has been widely criticized, some analysts believe it is a negotiating tactic to pressure Hamas into fully committing to the ceasefire.

Countering Iranian Aggression

The Biden administration’s efforts to engage diplomatically with Iran had initially signaled a shift in U.S. policy, but under the second Trump administration, Washington has vowed to return to its original hardline stance against Tehran’s destabilizing activities.

Rubio’s tour aims to reassure Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, that Washington is committed to countering Iran and its regional proxies. The State Department has reaffirmed that “neutralizing Iranian aggression” is a key priority for U.S. foreign policy in the region.

U.S.-Qatar Military Ties

Hegseth’s Saturday discussion with Qatar’s defense minister followed the Eagle Resolve 2025 joint military exercise, which ran from January 9 to January 23 and involved U.S. forces and Gulf allies. Qatar’s strategic importance is highlighted by the presence of Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. airbase in the region.

“The Secretary thanked Qatar for hosting U.S. and coalition forces at Al Udeid Air Base and urged continued support for efforts to secure the release of hostages from Gaza,” the Pentagon stated. Qatar has been a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict, alongside Egypt and the U.S.

Bahrain’s Role as a Key U.S. Ally

Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, remains a critical American partner in the Gulf region. Bahrain’s National Security Advisor, Lt. Gen. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, met with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and senior Pentagon officials last week, reaffirming their defense and security ties.

Pentagon official Alex Velez-Green emphasized the importance of Bahrain’s role in hosting U.S. naval operations and its status as a major non-NATO ally.

As the Trump administration accelerates its diplomatic and security engagements in the Middle East, Washington’s ties with Gulf states remain crucial. With high-stakes discussions on Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran’s regional influence, U.S. leadership is positioning itself as the key broker of Middle Eastern stability.