US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns against Iran‑linked fees in Hormuz during Gulf tour

On 25 June 2026 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a three‑day tour of the Persian Gulf, meeting leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain and speaking in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He said the United States wants a deal with Iran but “not at any price”, warning that allowing Tehran to impose tolls on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger “total chaos” and threaten global energy flows. Rubio reiterated Washington’s stance that international waterways cannot be taxed and that the provisional Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran guarantees free passage for 60 days while a final agreement is negotiated. He also urged that any final accord address Iran’s ballistic‑missile programme, drone activity and support for proxy groups in the region, echoing concerns raised by GCC foreign ministers. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has warned it will enforce any fees it deems lawful, heightening tensions over navigation rights in the strategically vital strait.