Rubio Engages Gulf Leaders Amid US-Iran MOU Uncertainty

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been relatively quiet regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) situation between the US and Iran, recently met with leaders from the Persian Gulf. His discussions took place over Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to address their concerns about the ongoing peace negotiations.

Rubio emphasized the importance of listening to partners, stating, “We want to hear from our partners. We want to make sure that their views are considered.” He acknowledged their security and economic worries, speaking from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

“We’re not going to do anything that would jeopardize the security of our allies,” he continued, as he arrived in Kuwait for further talks. After visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he is set to travel to Bahrain next.

From Kuwait, he reassured everyone that the Trump administration is “fully aligned” with Gulf partners as the negotiations with Iran progress. He explained the purpose of his trip: “That’s why we’re meeting with all of them tomorrow… to thank you for the incredible support you’ve given us throughout this process.”

The UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain are home to US military bases. Iran, known for its aggressive stance, has called for their removal after launching a series of attacks. Rubio’s trip appears aimed at reinforcing the US’s commitment to protect these allies and curb Iranian influence.

During a flag-raising ceremony in Kuwait, Rubio remarked, “The Star-Spangled Banner now flies proudly again over Kuwait City. Kuwait is an essential partner in the security and stability of the region.” The flag was previously lowered after Iran conducted drone and missile attacks on Kuwait in March.

Concerns heightened when Iran stated it would attempt to charge “tolls” or fees on shipping in the region. Rubio firmly rejected this notion, stating, “This is an international waterway. No country should be allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway,” and expressed confidence that “all countries in the region would agree.” Yet, there appears to be some ambiguity in Iran’s moves, as they seem to be positioning themselves to enforce such charges potentially.

On the same day Rubio was in Abu Dhabi, Iran and Oman discussed the future of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a joint statement. This mentioned “sovereign rights to territorial waters” and hinted at offering “services” to vessels in the strait, which raises concerns about potential fees being labeled as costs for services that were previously offered without charges.

Iran has not responded to Rubio’s statements about this waterway or to President Trump’s assertion that Iran promised not to seek tolls for passing vessels. Trump threatened that if any false information surfaced regarding Iran’s commitments, negotiations would end immediately.

Rubio reiterated these concerns, reinforcing that Gulf states need not fear a loss of US protection due to the MOU. “We have existing relationships with these countries that go back many decades,” he stated, assuring them of the US’s ongoing military presence and support. He noted the active US military presence in the region: “We have people there… working with them all the time.”

He asserted that the security guarantees the US provides are not mere promises; they are already in place. Rubio addressed worries about Iran potentially using funds from the MOU to enhance its missile capabilities or finance proxy groups, which is a primary concern for states like the UAE and Kuwait. However, he didn’t clarify whether the MOU limits Iran’s military aspirations, which have not shown signs of diminishing.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials continue to exhibit a strong stance on their military ambitions. Iranian Parliament Speaker and Chief Negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf labeled the memorandum a “declaration of defeat for the United States,” proclaiming it a result of “the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian people.” Similarly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted that Iran would never accept restrictions on its missile program, framing it as essential for national defense against foreign aggressions.

During discussions in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed Pezeshkian’s skepticism, saying the interim peace agreement does not impose limits on Iranian missiles and refuted Trump’s claim regarding inspections of Iran’s nuclear program.