Gulf-US statement backs Iraq's efforts to centralize weapons

MANAMA, Bahrain — The foreign ministers of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council wrapped up a joint meeting in the Bahraini capital on Thursday, reaffirming support for the Iraqi government's efforts to consolidate weapons under state control. According to the GCC General Secretariat, the meeting was co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the council's current presidency holder. The ministers condemned drone attacks by Iran-linked groups targeting GCC states and energy facilities, the secretariat said. They also welcomed a June 17 agreement between the United States and Iran and expressed appreciation for the mediation role played by Pakistan and Qatar. The statement emphasized the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to curb its ballistic missile capabilities and proxy forces across the region. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz was described as essential to regional security. Ministers also discussed developments in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, with the secretariat reporting that comprehensive decisions were adopted across those files. No further details on those measures were immediately available.