U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured Gulf allies on June 25 that their security concerns would be considered in any agreement with Iran, concluding a Middle East trip focused on easing regional skepticism about the proposed peace framework.
Speaking at a gathering of Gulf foreign ministers in Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based, Rubio emphasized that Washington seeks a lasting peace with Iran without compromising the safety of its long-standing partners in the Gulf. Several Gulf nations remain concerned that the current proposal is too lenient toward Tehran, particularly after experiencing Iranian attacks during the recent conflict.
Following Rubio’s trip, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, with a drone, a U.S. official told The Epoch Times.
During the war, Iran confronted both the United States and Israel and gained significant influence over the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption of oil exports through the strait caused instability in energy markets and broader economic concerns worldwide.
Rubio acknowledged that Gulf States have serious reservations about the agreement and want to be kept informed throughout the negotiation process, especially regarding provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz.
In a June 25 joint statement, the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stressed that any durable peace must address Iran’s ballistic missile program, drone capabilities, and support for proxy groups. The statement also reaffirmed support for unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting any fees, tolls, or attempts by any country to control passage through the waterway.
Rubio warned that any Iranian effort to interfere with shipping in the strait would create serious problems. He reiterated that international waterways must remain open and that shipping fees would not be included in any future agreement.
Bahrain’s foreign minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, welcomed Oman’s proposal for a safe maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. Omani officials confirmed that future arrangements would not involve transit charges.
Rubio said discussions did not include the proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, a provision that has raised concerns among Gulf countries that the funds could help Tehran rebuild its military capabilities.
The trip marked the first major U.S. diplomatic outreach to the Gulf since last week’s U.S.–Iran framework agreement intended to end a conflict that began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
During visits to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, Rubio sought to reassure leaders that the agreement would not favor Iran at the expense of regional security. He emphasized that the United States would not take actions that weaken its alliances in the Gulf.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran had agreed to indefinite nuclear inspections, a claim that Iranian officials denied. The two countries have also provided differing accounts regarding financial incentives for Iran, future control of the Strait of Hormuz, and the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Lebanon.
All six GCC members—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait—supported U.S. operations to varying degrees during the war and were affected by Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Critics of the draft agreement noted that it does not restrict Iran’s ballistic missile program and includes provisions such as the reconstruction fund and measures that could potentially increase Tehran’s regional influence and leverage over key oil shipping routes.
Some Gulf governments are also concerned that the agreement could pave the way for broader U.S.–Iran normalization, which many Sunni-led GCC states view with caution because they regard Iran as their primary regional rival.
The joint U.S.–GCC statement also called for continued diplomatic efforts in Lebanon independent of other regional conflicts, the disarmament of non-state armed groups, ongoing support for Syria, an end to the war in the Gaza Strip, and respect for Kuwait’s territorial integrity.
Ryan Morgan and Reuters contributed to this report.
