Rubio holds talks with Middle East leaders on Iran threat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a series of high-level phone calls with key Middle Eastern leaders, focusing on regional security challenges and Iran’s actions, the US State Department said.

As part of the diplomatic outreach, Rubio spoke with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Masrour Barzani, and Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty.

Deputy State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the conversations addressed both bilateral relations and broader regional developments, with particular attention to Iran’s ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure.

During the discussions, Rubio strongly condemned attacks targeting Jordan, Iraq, and other US partners. He also expressed condolences to the families of Peshmerga fighters killed in a missile strike on March 24 and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

Rubio underscored Jordan’s significant role in maintaining regional security and stability, and thanked the leadership of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for its contribution to ensuring the continued flow of oil supplies to global markets.

In his talks with Egypt’s top diplomat, Rubio emphasised the importance of the US–Egypt strategic partnership and highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the negative impact of Iran’s actions on regional economic stability and security.

By Tamilla Hasanova