From January 8-14, Secretary Pompeo traveled to Amman, Jordan; Baghdad, Iraq; Erbil, Iraq; Cairo, Egypt; Manama, Bahrain; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Muscat, Oman.
The Secretary began his trip in Amman, where he met with Jordanian leaders to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation, as well as ways to expand the strategic U.S.-Jordan partnership. The Secretary engaged with Jordanian leaders on critical regional issues including Syria and Jordan’s future trade relations with Iraq.
The Secretary then continued to Iraq, visiting Baghdad and Erbil. In Iraq, the Secretary met with Iraqi leaders to discuss critical issues, including our partnership with Iraq to ensure an enduring defeat of ISIS, expanding U.S.-Iraq economic ties, and supporting the new government’s efforts to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and ensure security, stability and prosperity to all Iraqis.
The Secretary then traveled to Cairo, where he met with Egyptian leaders to discuss critical regional issues, including Iran, Gaza, and counterterrorism, as well as economic and energy cooperation. The Secretary also delivered a speech on the United States’ commitment to peace, prosperity, stability, and security in the Middle East.
In Manama, the Secretary met with Bahraini leaders to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation, as well as ways to expand the strategic U.S.-Bahraini partnership. The Secretary and Bahraini leaders engaged on critical regional issues, including counterterrorism and working together through the Middle East Strategic Alliance to counter the Iranian regime’s dangerous activities.
In Abu Dhabi, the Secretary met with leaders of the United Arab Emirates to discuss regional and bilateral issues, including ways to further expand ties in areas such as trade and investment. The Secretary also discussed the need for all parties to adhere to the agreements made at the Yemen talks in Sweden, particularly the cease-fire and redeployment of forces in Hudaydah, in support of the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen.
The Secretary then led the U.S. delegation at the second U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Doha, which further enhanced bilateral cooperation in military, energy, counterterrorism, labor, education, culture, and commercial matters. He also met with Qatari leaders to discuss regional issues, such as Afghanistan and the importance of a united Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in standing against the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activity and advancing peace, prosperity, and security in the region.
In Riyadh, the Secretary met with Saudi leaders to discuss key bilateral and regional priorities, including Yemen, Iran, and Syria. The Secretary and Saudi leaders discussed ways to continue bolstering UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths as he works toward a comprehensive political agreement among parties to end the conflict and realize a brighter future for Yemen. The Secretary also sought an update on the status of the investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In Muscat, the Secretary met with Omani leaders to discuss ways to promote peace throughout the region, including in Yemen, and build upon the strong U.S.-Oman partnership. The Secretary and Omani leaders discussed the Middle East Strategic Alliance and the importance of a united GCC in advancing the peace, prosperity, and security of the region.
Mike Pompeo
Iraq, Egypt