U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadóttir and Foreign Secretary Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir in Reykjavik on Tuesday, launching a three-nation NATO tour designed to reaffirm Arctic security cooperation while smoothing over lingering unease regarding Washington’s diplomatic tone and territorial maps.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in Reykjavik on October 5 to begin a three-nation diplomatic tour that also includes stops in Greece and Portugal before returning to Washington on Thursday, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The visit comes as NATO allies face growing security concerns over Russian military activity and continued Middle East instability. In Iceland, however, much of the early focus centered on repairing bilateral friction sparked by recent controversies over Arctic territory and high-profile diplomatic appointments.
Arriving at Keflavik Airport, Rubio was welcomed by Iceland’s Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Chief of Protocol Helga Hauksdottir. Before departing from Washington, Rubio stated that Iceland, Greece, and Portugal are strong allies important for protecting United States national interests. He explained on social media that his trip aimed to advance shared priorities including a secure Arctic, closer defense cooperation, and stronger commercial and energy ties.
Rubio Meets Foreign Minister at Historic Hofdi House
Rubio met with Iceland’s minister for foreign affairs, Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, at Reykjavik’s historic Hofdi House—the site of the landmark 1986 summit between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Writing on social media shortly after the talks, Rubio noted that the meeting took place just days before the 40th anniversary of the historic dialogue, as Military reported.
“The house symbolizes diplomacy’s role in ending the Cold War and defeating communism,”
Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
Both officials sought to project unity, downplaying differences and committing to expanding military and commercial ties. Rubio made it clear that Washington respects Icelandic sovereignty.
Icelanders Worry About American Intentions in High North
Despite the diplomatic outreach, deep-seated anxieties remain among Icelanders regarding American intentions in the High North. Tensions spiked last month when President Donald Trump shared a map showing U.S. flag colors sprawling across all of North America, extending directly to Iceland and Greenland.
The geographic proximity adds to the sensitivity: Iceland sits just 180 miles (290 kilometers) from Greenland, where a recent agreement increased the U.S. military presence without granting full American control. Robert Gerber, a former U.S. diplomat stationed in Iceland, pointed out to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Rubio’s visit could follow up on commitments discussed at a September meeting of Arctic countries on the margins of the UN General Assembly regarding security and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Bilateral Economic Collaboration and Energy Expansion
Beyond regional defense, Rubio’s meetings with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadóttir explored concrete avenues for economic and technological collaboration. According to an official release from the State Department, the two leaders discussed expanding Iceland’s electricity output, deepening technology cooperation, and increasing joint work in pharmaceuticals.
Ambassadorial Controversies in Reykjavik and Athens
Diplomatic friction in Iceland has also been exacerbated by local friction surrounding U.S. Ambassador Billy Long. Before Long assumed his post in August, thousands of Icelanders signed a petition urging the prime minister to reject him after he joked that Iceland should become the 52nd U.S. state with him serving as governor, according to Military. Foreign Secretary Gunnarsdóttir previously summoned Long to make it clear that such remarks were entirely unacceptable, though she emphasized during Rubio’s visit that she remains focused on the future.
As Rubio prepares to travel to his next stop in Athens for the sixth U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue—scheduled for October 6-7 and providing a framework for cooperation on defense and energy—he faces potential questions regarding another diplomatic appointee. Rubio defended Guilfoyle prior to his departure, praising her as an incredible advocate for the president’s agenda in Greece and across Europe while emphasizing her leadership on energy promotion, particularly regarding American liquefied natural gas exports to Southeastern and Central Europe.