US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar in Washington on Wednesday, reaffirming the “vital” bilateral partnership between the two nations to ensure regional security and prosperity.
Following the meeting, Rubio posted on X: “Met with Israeli Foreign Minister @gidonsaar today to reaffirm our two nations’ close cooperation that is vital to ensuring security and prosperity in the region.”
According to The Times of Israel, Saar expressed appreciation for Rubio’s longstanding support for Israel and highlighted the Trump administration’s clear stance in backing Israel. His office said the talks covered “various challenges and opportunities in the Middle East.”
Key issues discussed included Iran’s nuclear program, ongoing hostilities with Hamas in Gaza, and preparations for next month’s UN General Assembly. The two leaders also addressed coordinated efforts to counter anti-Israel initiatives in international forums.
A State Department readout confirmed the talks spanned developments in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Rubio stressed the importance of countering Iran’s “malign influence,” with both sides agreeing that sustained close cooperation remains crucial for regional stability.
Alongside his meeting with Saar, Rubio also engaged with European foreign ministers — Jean-Noël Barrot (France), Johann Wadephul (Germany), and David Lammy (UK) — to coordinate efforts on Iran. All reaffirmed their commitment to preventing Tehran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons, US officials said.