Marco Rubio Concludes Middle East Visit
The U.S. Secretary of State recently finished a three-day tour in the Middle East, engaging with Gulf partners to address various regional matters, particularly the memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently established between the United States and Iran.
In a statement to reporters in Manama, Bahrain, Rubio underscored the importance of keeping U.S. allies in the loop throughout the ongoing peace talks with Iran.
“We will not be making any decisions or commitments that in any way undermines the prosperity, stability, or security of our Gulf partners,” he stated.
Bahrain marked the final stop on Rubio’s journey, which also included visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait.
Rubio highlighted the unified stance among Gulf nations regarding safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
“There is zero support—zero support—among the Gulf countries for any sort of toll or fees or anything that charges for the use of international waters,” he emphasized. “The president’s made it clear, that’s not going to happen. It’s not going to be a part of this. It cannot be a part of this.”
Responding to Iranian statements, Rubio mentioned that the focus of the Trump administration concentrates more on tangible actions rather than Iran’s exaggerated claims.
“We’ve reached a point now in this where you’re hearing, for example, the Iranians will say one thing, but then something else is actually happening,” he remarked.
“What we’re interested in is whether or not ships are moving…we see the continued flow of ships in this particular case, that that lane is the one that’s being used for this evacuation effort…and that must continue. And as long as it continues, they can have all the press conferences they want.”
Earlier on Thursday, Rubio also met with the Gulf Cooperation Council and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama.
During his remarks at the council meeting, Rubio reiterated the U.S.’s firm positions in negotiations with Iran, emphasizing the necessity of toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
