Rubio pledges US alignment with Gulf allies as Iran peace talks advance
Washington moves to reassure Gulf states of security guarantees as negotiations with Tehran progress, though Tehran frames the initial deal as a diplomatic victory.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has provided firm assurances to Gulf allies that Washington will safeguard their interests as it pursues a final settlement with Iran. During a regional tour, Rubio met with leaders in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, pledging that the United States would remain "completely aligned" with its partners regarding security and navigation rights in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The diplomatic push comes as President Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Iran were progressing well. Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, where he accused the alliance of "letting down" the United States by not supporting the military campaign against Iran. During the same visit, Trump requested nearly $88 billion in supplemental funding for the Pentagon to cover the costs of the conflict.
This request for additional resources follows a largely symbolic resolution passed by Congress urging an end to hostilities with Iran unless lawmakers explicitly authorise military action. The legislative move underscores the complex domestic political landscape surrounding the administration’s foreign policy, even as the executive branch seeks to solidify its diplomatic position in the Middle East.
In Tehran, the mood remains defiant. Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, described the initial agreement as a victory and a "declaration of America's defeat." Ghalibaf emphasised that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a fundamental pillar of any definitive agreement with the United States, linking the Iranian negotiations to the broader regional instability involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate, with Iran’s military command declaring the waterway closed to all vessel traffic and threatening to target transiting ships. US Central Command has disputed these claims, stating that commercial ships continue to transit. Meanwhile, Qatar’s prime minister has initiated talks with Oman regarding the strait, and separate reconciliation discussions between Gulf countries and Iran are expected to be held in Saudi Arabia.
