Rubio seeks to ease Gulf concerns over new Iran agreement

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Gulf countries this week as the Trump administration works to convince regional allies that its new agreement with Iran will not come at the expense of their security.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Gulf countries this week as the Trump administration works to convince regional allies that its new agreement with Iran will not come at the expense of their security. His visit comes at a sensitive time, with several Gulf states privately worried that Washington may have offered too much to Tehran in return for peace.

Rubio is expected to visit the United Arab Emirates before holding meetings in Kuwait and Bahrain with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. The discussions are likely to focus on the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, an agreement that has raised concerns across the region.

Many Gulf governments supported diplomatic efforts to avoid conflict before the US and Israel went to war with Iran four months ago. During the fighting, they also provided logistical assistance to Washington while facing Iranian missile attacks on American military bases located on their territory. Although they welcomed the end of the conflict, several officials are now uneasy about the direction of US policy toward Tehran.

One of the biggest concerns is that the agreement does not place any restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Gulf countries had expected those weapons to be a key part of any settlement because they remain within range of Iranian missiles. However, the current deal leaves that issue untouched, leading many regional leaders to question whether their security concerns have been overlooked.

The agreement also includes plans for a reconstruction fund worth about 300 billion dollars to help rebuild Iran after the war. Gulf officials fear that instead of improving the lives of ordinary Iranians, a large portion of those funds could strengthen Iran’s military and increase support for armed groups operating across the Middle East. Such a development, they believe, could create fresh instability in the region.

Another issue causing concern is the future role of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Gulf countries depend heavily on the waterway for exporting oil and natural gas. Any increase in Iranian influence over the strait is viewed as a potential threat to regional trade and energy security.

Rubio faces the difficult task of reassuring America’s long standing partners while remaining loyal to President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. Although Vice President JD Vance has taken a leading role in negotiations with Iran, Rubio must now explain the agreement without appearing to challenge the administration’s position.

The White House has already signalled its commitment to the deal by granting a temporary sixty day waiver on Iranian oil sanctions. At the same time, President Trump has warned that the United States is prepared to respond if Iran fails to honour its commitments. Supporters of the agreement argue that Washington still has the ability to take firm action if necessary.

Despite those assurances, many Gulf leaders remain cautious. They fear the agreement could restore Iran’s regional influence without addressing the security threats that have troubled the Middle East for years. Rubio’s meetings this week will be an important test of whether Washington can rebuild confidence among some of its closest allies.