Rubio seeks Gulf backing for Iran accord

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured Gulf Arab partners that Washington will not pursue a deal with Tehran at the expense of their security, as the Trump administration tries to build regional support for a preliminary accord aimed at ending months of confrontation with Iran.

Rubio delivered the message in Manama at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and officials, using the final leg of a three-day tour of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain to address concerns that the proposed settlement may grant Iran economic relief and strategic latitude without sufficiently curbing its military reach.

Bahrain, host to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, provided a pointed setting for the talks. Gulf capitals have watched the negotiations with caution after the war that began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and later drew the region into direct security and energy shocks. Iran’s attacks on Gulf states during the conflict hardened anxieties over missiles, drones, proxy forces and the vulnerability of oil export routes.

Rubio told Gulf officials that Washington wanted an enduring peace with Iran, but not “at any price”. He said no part of the agreement would be allowed to undermine the security, stability or prosperity of long-standing partners in the region. The remarks were designed to counter a perception that the White House, eager to close a deal after the June 17 preliminary understanding, may be prepared to offer Tehran concessions before Gulf security demands are settled.

The accord remains contentious because of several unresolved elements. Gulf officials are pressing for tighter restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, limits on drone capabilities, guarantees against support for armed groups across the region, and clear enforcement mechanisms. They also want direct consultation at every stage of negotiations, reflecting long-standing unease that major powers can reach arrangements with Tehran while leaving neighbouring states to manage the consequences.

The Strait of Hormuz emerged as a central issue. The waterway carries a large share of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making any disruption a direct threat to Gulf revenues and global energy prices. Rubio ruled out any arrangement that would permit Iran to charge tolls or impose restrictive conditions on commercial passage, saying freedom of navigation through the strait must remain protected.

Gulf governments are also wary of a proposed $300 billion reconstruction and stabilisation package linked to the wider settlement. Their concern is not only the size of the package but the possibility that released funds or new investment could strengthen Iran’s military institutions or affiliated groups unless strict controls are built into the agreement. Rubio has sought to lower those fears by saying Washington is not asking Gulf states to finance such a fund during this tour.

The diplomatic challenge for Washington is sharpened by different priorities within the Gulf itself. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have tended to favour sustained pressure on Iran’s missile and regional networks, while Qatar and Oman have played more active mediation roles and favour a faster route to de-escalation. Kuwait and Bahrain have emphasised maritime security, protection of infrastructure and the need to prevent a fresh cycle of attacks.

The US-GCC discussions produced a public display of unity, with shared language on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, keeping sea lanes open, and supporting regional stability. Yet the careful wording also reflected the distance still to be closed. Gulf officials want the final text to go beyond nuclear limits and address the full range of tools Iran has used to project power, from missiles and drones to militias operating in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Rubio’s tour also came amid debate within Washington over the administration’s handling of Iran. Vice President JD Vance has struck a more optimistic tone about the possibility of a broader reset with Tehran, while Rubio has framed the agreement as a cautious, conditional process that must be tested against Iran’s conduct. The White House has insisted that senior officials remain aligned behind President Donald Trump’s approach.