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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to reassure Gulf allies that Washington will not pursue any agreement with Iran that undermines their security, as the United States and Iran begin negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement following more than three months of conflict.

During a regional tour that included the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, Rubio emphasized that Gulf partners would be closely consulted throughout the negotiation process and that their security concerns would remain a central consideration for the Trump administration.

The visit comes days after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to extend the current ceasefire and establish a framework for broader peace talks.

Regional Tour Focused on Gulf Security

Rubio met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi before traveling to Kuwait and later Bahrain.

Met with UAE’s President @MohamedBinZayed in Abu Dhabi, where we discussed President Trump’s MOU with Iran, efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional stability. I thanked the UAE leadership for their unparalleled support, praised their… pic.twitter.com/J3u6bAKR2W

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 24, 2026

Speaking during his trip, Rubio stressed that the United States remains committed to its longstanding Gulf partners and intends to maintain close coordination with them as negotiations with Iran continue.

“We’re going to be completely aligned with our partners in the Gulf,” Rubio said, adding that Washington would engage regional allies on every major decision related to the talks.

He also reiterated that the United States would not take any action that could jeopardize the security of Gulf states, many of which suffered direct attacks during the recent conflict.

According to U.S. officials, discussions with Gulf leaders focused on the U.S.-Iran memorandum, regional stability, and ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.

US reopens embassy in Kuwait months after Iranian attack

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait resumed operations on Wednesday during a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after suspending operations in March following Iranian attacks. The embassy will immediately resume emergency services for U.S. citizens, with other services returning gradually, according to the State Department.

Embassy operations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were halted after Iranian drone attacks on the missions following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The American flag: a symbol of liberty, unity, and freedom now flies proudly once again over Kuwait City.

Kuwait is an indispensable partner for regional security and stability.

The United States looks forward to strengthening our partnership across all areas of cooperation. pic.twitter.com/hXTnyvOGLK

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 24, 2026

Rubio attended a flag-raising ceremony at the embassy during talks with regional allies on ending the Iran conflict.

Peace Process Begins After Months of Conflict

The U.S.-Iran memorandum signed last week represents the first agreement between American and Iranian presidents since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The accord follows more than 100 days of fighting that significantly destabilized the Middle East and raised concerns about global energy security.

Under the agreement, both sides have launched technical negotiations to resolve key disputes and establish the framework for a permanent peace deal. Negotiators are expected to resume talks in Switzerland later this month.

Rubio stated that the United States remains open to reaching a comprehensive agreement if Iran demonstrates a willingness to engage constructively.

The deal has generated debate in Washington, drawing criticism from some lawmakers and security officials who believe it may offer Tehran too many concessions.

Strait of Hormuz Remains a Key Issue

One of the most important elements of the agreement involves the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which much of the Gulf’s oil and natural gas exports pass.

During the conflict, attacks on shipping and threats to maritime traffic disrupted trade and created significant economic losses across the region. The memorandum includes provisions aimed at restoring full commercial navigation through the strait and reducing tensions around maritime security.

Questions remain, however, regarding whether Iran may seek to impose fees or charges on vessels transiting the waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio have both rejected such proposals, insisting that international shipping should move freely through the strategic corridor.

The issue is particularly important for Gulf states whose economies depend heavily on uninterrupted energy exports.

Gulf Concerns Persist

Despite welcoming efforts to end the conflict, Gulf countries remain concerned about several issues that are not directly addressed in the current framework.

The agreement reportedly includes sanctions relief measures and provisions that could allow the release of frozen Iranian assets. Reports also indicate discussions about a major investment fund intended to support the deal’s implementation.

However, the memorandum does not currently address Iran’s ballistic missile program or its relationships with regional allied groups, both of which remain major security concerns for Gulf governments.

The recent conflict exposed vulnerabilities across the Gulf, with missile and drone attacks affecting critical infrastructure, energy facilities, ports, airports, and commercial shipping routes.

As a result, regional leaders are seeking assurances that any long-term agreement will not only prevent renewed fighting between the United States and Iran but also address broader security challenges facing the Gulf.

Balancing Diplomacy and Regional Stability

Rubio’s visit highlights Washington’s effort to balance diplomatic engagement with Iran while maintaining confidence among traditional U.S. partners in the Middle East.

For Gulf states, the success of the negotiations will likely be measured not only by the durability of the ceasefire but also by whether a final agreement addresses the security concerns that emerged during the conflict.

With technical negotiations set to continue over the coming weeks, the United States faces the challenge of advancing a historic diplomatic opening with Iran while ensuring that Gulf allies remain fully engaged in the process.

The outcome of those talks could shape the future security architecture of the Middle East and determine whether the region moves toward lasting stability or renewed confrontation.