U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that any lasting agreement with Iran must address its financial and military support for armed groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, as he began a Gulf tour aimed at reassuring regional allies over a proposed U.S.-Iran understanding.
Rubio’s visit to Abu Dhabi marks the first stop of a three-nation Gulf tour, where he is meeting leaders in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain amid growing regional debate over a draft agreement intended to end hostilities between Washington and Tehran and reopen key maritime routes.
The discussions follow a recent round of U.S.-Iran diplomatic engagement in Switzerland led by Vice President JD Vance, which reportedly produced a preliminary understanding aimed at ending regional hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and offering sanctions relief, while nuclear negotiations are expected to continue over the next 60 days, according to AP.
However, Gulf states have expressed concerns that the proposed framework does not sufficiently address Iran’s missile program or its support for proxy groups operating across the region, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi, Rubio said that any proposed investment mechanism linked to Iran would depend on Tehran’s strategic choices, adding that financial inflows would not materialize unless Iran shifts away from what he described as exporting conflict through militant networks.
He stressed that the core principle of the agreement must be the “complete end of hostilities and conflicts in the region,” arguing that such an objective cannot be achieved while Iran-aligned groups continue launching missile and drone attacks from multiple conflict zones.
Rubio further stated that the issue of Iran’s support for armed groups is inherently tied to regional peace efforts and cannot be separated from broader negotiations. He said the memorandum of understanding signed last week implies that these concerns will be addressed within the framework of ongoing discussions.
“You can’t have the end of hostilities and conflicts in a region as long as Iranian proxies are launching missiles and drones from Iraq, and are participating in terrorism, like Hamas did, and like Hezbollah did,” Rubio said, adding that the matter would be taken up “at the appropriate time” in negotiations.
He also reiterated Washington’s firm position on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting any attempt to impose tolls or fees on international shipping routes, which he said are governed by established international law.
Rubio noted that Gulf partners, particularly the UAE, have been vocal in demanding safeguards to ensure maritime security and unrestricted passage through the strategic waterway, which remains vital for global energy supplies.
The U.S. Secretary of State said he expected broad regional consensus on maintaining open shipping lanes, adding that Washington’s position aligns with the interests of all countries in the region.
The Gulf tour comes at a sensitive moment as regional powers assess the implications of the emerging U.S.-Iran framework, with particular focus on security guarantees, proxy conflicts, and the future balance of influence in the Middle East.
