WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel and the United Kingdom from September 13-18 to reinforce Washington’s Middle East security commitments and align transatlantic strategies on Ukraine, Iran, and China, the State Department announced on Friday.
In Israel, Rubio aims to solidify coordination on ending the Israel-Hamas war, stressing that Hamas must never regain control of Gaza and that the release of all hostages remains nonnegotiable.
He will meet Israeli leaders to discuss military objectives tied to Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, a campaign targeting Hamas strongholds, while reiterating U.S. opposition to unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state or “lawfare” against Israel at international courts.
The Secretary will separately engage with families of hostages, pledging their return is a “top priority,” according to a State Department statement.
Rubio then joins President delegation in Britain for a rare second state visit, where he will meet UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Talks will focus on halting Russia’s war in Ukraine, blocking Iran’s nuclear ambitions, securing a Gaza ceasefire, and countering China’s global influence.
The back-to-back trips underscore Washington’s push to stabilise the Middle East while rallying European allies against shared geopolitical threats.
Rubio’s agenda mirrors escalating U.S. efforts to isolate Iran and Hamas while balancing competition with Beijing.
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