Baghdad ( CNN ) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters in Baghdad that his current visit to Iraq will probably be his last . He has previously announced that he intends to retire sometime this year . Gates made the comment while speaking to reporters at the U.S. Division-Center headquarters , where he addressed about 200 soldiers from Kansas and Hawaii . He called it `` the high point of my trip . '' Gates also addressed the possible U.S. government shutdown . He explained that , even if troops did n't get a paycheck due to a government shutdown , they would be paid back . Differences between U.S. Democrats and Republicans have kept them from reaching agreement on a budget for this year . If there is no deal by midnight Friday , when the current spending authorization measure expires , parts of the government will close down . `` As a historian , it always occurred to me the smart thing for government was always to pay the guys with guns first , '' he said in response to a query on a shutdown 's possible impact . Earlier Thursday , Gates met with the Commanding General of U.S . Forces in Iraq , General Lloyd Austin , and with the U.S . Ambassador to Iraq , James Jeffrey , at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad . Later , Gates will meet with Massoud Barzani , president of the Kurdish regional government , said a senior defense official who agreed to talk on background . Gates message to Iraq 's leadership will be `` that it is important for them to complete the government-formation process , particularly to get the security ministries dealt with , '' a senior defense official said . Gates arrived in Baghdad Wednesday night on an unannounced visit . Prior to touching down in Baghdad , Gates was in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , for talks with that country 's leader , King Abdullah . Like most top-level U.S. visits to regional hot spots , Gates ' visit to Iraq was unannounced , most likely for security reasons . Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the Saudi monarch , Gates said they discussed `` developments all over the region '' and `` obviously they talked about Iran . '' He described the talks as an `` extremely cordial , warm meeting . '' He chided Iran for meddling in the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain , where recent protests led the government to call in troops from member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council . `` We already have evidence that the Iranians are trying to exploit the situation in Bahrain , '' Gates told reporters Wednesday . `` We also have evidence that they are thinking about what they could do to try to create problems elsewhere , as well . ''
NEW : Gates calls time with troops the `` high point '' of his trip . Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with Iraq troops and commanders . Gates has previously said he will retire Friday . Gates arrived in U.S. on midnight on an unannounced visit .