US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed on Wednesday that the United States would not “undermine” its Persian Gulf allies during negotiations with Iran, and said he “didn’t sense any doubts about our security assurances” to the region. Rubio made the remarks during a visit to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where he sought input from Gulf partners and thanked them for their support.
Rubio Engages Gulf Allies on Iran Talks
Rubio reiterated that his trip aimed to solicit feedback and express gratitude “for the incredible support they gave us throughout this process.” He told reporters in Kuwait, “We want to reiterate and begin to talk to them and engage them on conversations about every decision that’s made with regards to this negotiation.”
“We’re not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our long-standing allies in the region,” he added. Rubio described his conversations as “very frank, honest, important” and noted that “we’re very strongly aligned” with Gulf partners on Iran’s missile program.
Security Assurances Rooted in Decades-Long Ties
The top US diplomat said they “didn’t even have to talk about” security assurances “because they’re real, they’re not promises, they’re actual, they exist.” He highlighted existing relationships spanning “many, many decades,” including troop presence and assets in these countries.
“We have existing relationships with these countries that go back many, many decades,” Rubio said. “We have troop presence in these countries; we have assets in these countries.”
Technical Talks with Iran Set for June 30
Rubio announced that upcoming technical talks with Iran as part of ongoing negotiations will be held at the expert level with “work groups on various subjects.” He said he believes they will start on June 30, and that they “are at the staff level, experts on nuclear energy, as an example, on sanctions, and so forth.”
“There’s individuals from the State Department that will be involved in those talks, along with people from the Department of Energy, and so forth. That’s what the technical level is,” he told reporters in Kuwait.
Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees Opposed
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he believed all countries were against Iran imposing fees for transiting the crucial Strait of Hormuz. “I know of no country on the planet that supports tolling or fees for the use of the strait,” he stated.
Rubio Vows Commitment to UAE Security
Rubio discussed the US-Iran deal with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed on Wednesday and renewed Washington’s commitment to the country’s security on the first leg of a tour of the Gulf. According to spokesperson Tommy Pigott, “They discussed President Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region.” Pigott added that Rubio “reaffirmed the US commitment to the security of the Emirates.”
