Rubio meeting with Gulf allies to shore up support for Iran deal

International Rubio meeting with Gulf allies to shore up support for Iran deal Comments: by Laura Kelly - 06/23/26 10:08 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Laura Kelly - 06/23/26 10:08 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to the Middle East on Tuesday for three days of talks with Gulf allies about the preliminary U.S. agreement with Iran and efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio will visit the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, key U.S. allies that have come under intense bombing from Iran over the course of the more than three-month war with Iran.

“The Secretary will discuss a range of regional priorities including the memorandum of understanding [MOU] with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” the State Department said in a statement announcing the travel.

“In Bahrain, the Secretary will also meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss shared priorities across the region,” it added.

The GCC is a body of six-Gulf countries that includes UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. The Trump administration has put a focus on these members footing a $300 billion investment fund in Iran that is a key pillar of the MOU. It’s not clear if those countries have agreed to commit funds for the Islamic Republic’s reconstruction.

Another aspect of the reported agreement is Iran holding consultations with Oman and other Gulf littoral states about the “future administration” of the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that Tehran is looking to exercise control and charge fees for passage through the critical maritime route, which was free to sail before the start of the war on Feb. 28.

The MOU provides 60-days of toll-free passage for ships through the Strait. Trump has threatened to impose a U.S. toll if a deal with Iran is not reached over its nuclear program, in a veiled counter to any threats from Iran to exercise control of the Strait.

Rubio’s trip to the Gulf comes after Vice President Vance concluded on Monday the first-round of talks with Iranian officials as part of the MOU. The U.S. also issued sanctions waivers for Iran to sell its oil openly on the market.

While Vance is promoting progress in talks with Iran, there’s significant pushback in Washington among Republicans and policy experts warning that the MOU text provides exceptional concessions to Iran without real commitments from Tehran to abandon its nuclear program or even allow vigorous oversight.

Critics also point out Iran appears to be receiving a pass on its funding for terrorist proxies and missile production.