US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reassures Gulf Allies on Iran Deal and Toll‑Free Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio undertook a three‑day Gulf tour on June 24‑25, 2026, meeting officials in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and the GCC foreign ministers. He told the Gulf Cooperation Council that Washington wants a definitive agreement with Iran but “not at any price,” stressing that any deal must protect the security, stability and prosperity of the Gulf allies and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Rubio reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and will remain toll‑free, rejecting Iran’s proposal to charge fees for passage. The GCC issued a joint statement supporting “free, unconditional and unrestricted navigation” and welcomed Oman’s temporary safe‑lane corridor. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that an unauthorized route would be “unacceptable and dangerous” and demanded ships seek its permission. The United States also sought $87.6 billion from Congress for a separate operation against Iran while pursuing diplomatic dialogue.