US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Assures GCC States on Iran Deal

 Washington DC. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington will not undermine the sovereignty, security, or stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states with the US-Iran understanding.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the GCC-US ministerial meeting in Manama, Secretary of State Rubio said that the purpose of his regional tour was to inform Gulf partners about the outcome of discussions with Iran and to confirm that the US is committed to maintaining close coordination with its regional allies on all developments.

He emphasized that any diplomatic path with Iran would proceed in a manner that benefits the interests of the Gulf states, and Washington has pledged to be transparent with regional partners and proceed in a way that protects their security.

Rubio expressed a clear and unified stance on maritime security and in the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting any attempts by GCC states to impose fees on international "shipping lanes". He described such measures as unacceptable and unenforceable, stating that the United States would not support or permit them.

Rubio said that Washington will judge developments based on import-export activities, and the continuous normal flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will remain a key indicator in assessing the stability of the region.

While ensuring that any outcome reflects the interests of regional partners, Washington is committed to giving every opportunity for diplomacy with Iran to succeed, he said, emphasizing that the memorandum of understanding should be viewed not as a final agreement but as a framework for ongoing negotiations.

He stated that the current arrangement includes a temporary and 60-day waiver period prepared for negotiations and exploration of potential agreements. Rubio said that the United States is open to reaching a good and genuine agreement if Iran shows a willingness to engage constructively.