Aden — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held high-level talks with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on Thursday, centering on a range of complex regional security issues, including the situations in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, as well as American support for the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Rubio’s visit, part of a broader U.S. policy review on Iran’s regional influence, comes amid heightened tensions and shifting alliances across the Middle East. According to Israeli and American sources, the discussions aimed to align strategic priorities between Washington and Tel Aviv regarding Iran’s network of proxy groups and their destabilizing activities across the region.

Key topics included:

- Yemen: Rubio and Israeli officials reportedly examined the growing threat posed by the Iran-backed Houthi movement, particularly its missile and drone capabilities and its role in regional maritime security threats.

- Iraq and Lebanon: The talks also addressed the influence of Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq and Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon, with both sides expressing concern over the groups’ expanding arsenals and political leverage.

- Gaza Ceasefire: Rubio toured a U.S.-led coordination center overseeing the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to stabilizing the truce and supporting reconstruction efforts in the enclave.

The visit follows a series of diplomatic engagements by senior U.S. officials in the region, signaling a renewed American push to recalibrate its Middle East strategy. Rubio emphasized the need for a “coordinated and assertive approach” to counter Iran’s regional footprint while maintaining humanitarian and diplomatic channels in conflict zones.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Rubio’s visit, describing it as “a reaffirmation of the enduring U.S.-Israel alliance and a shared vision for regional stability.” The two sides also discussed intelligence cooperation and the potential for joint initiatives to contain cross-border threats.

Rubio’s trip coincided with the Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, where regional leaders debated responses to the Gaza conflict and broader geopolitical shifts. Analysts view the timing as part of a dual-track U.S. effort to engage both allies and regional stakeholders in shaping a post-conflict framework for the Middle East.

As Washington reassesses its posture in the region, Rubio’s meetings in Tel Aviv underscore the Biden administration’s intent to confront Iran’s influence while supporting de-escalation efforts in flashpoints like Gaza.