KUWAIT CITY: The US will not do anything that undermines the security of its Gulf allies, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, as Washington negotiates a permanent peace agreement with Iran.
Speaking in Kuwait on the second day of his tour of the region, Rubio said the US would be “completely aligned with our partners in the Gulf."
He said this was the reason that he is attending a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain on Thursday, adding that the US would engage Gulf countries “on conversations about every decision that's made with regards to this negotiation.”
He added: “We're not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our longstanding allies in the region.”
Rubio also reiterated the Trump administration's opposition to Iran's demand to charge tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, something also opposed by Gulf countries.
The secretary of state confirmed that American and Iranian technical negotiators would resume their talks at the end of the month, most likely also in Switzerland.
Rubio arrived in Kuwait on Wednesday and held talks with Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabahon.
The meeting took place after Rubio attended a flag-raising ceremony at the US Embassy in Kuwait to mark a resumption of operations that were suspended in March after attacks from Iran.
After meeting the Kuwaiti emir, Rubio said on X: "Kuwait is an indispensable partner for regional security and stability.”
A State Department spokesperson said the embassy in Kuwait would immediately resume emergency services for American citizens while other services will be phased in.
"The American flag: a symbol of liberty, unity, and freedom now flies proudly once again over Kuwait City," Rubio said after the ceremony.
Rubio’s visit to the region is the first by an American official since the US and Iran signed an agreement last week to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He arrived in Kuwait after talks in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed about the agreement.
Rubio "thanked the UAE for their leadership and unparalleled support, praised their courage and resilience in the face of Iran's attacks, and reaffirmed the US commitment to the security of the Emirates,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
Rubio’s visit to the region comes amid ongoing talks between the US and Iran over key issues left outstanding by the initial agreement signed last week.
During the conflict, that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, Gulf countries were hit by waves of Iranian missile and drone strikes.
The attacks on GCC states killed dozens of people, and damaged energy and transport infrastructure.
Exports form Gulf countries were severely effected by Iran’s decision to block the Strait of Hormuz waterway.
*With AFP and Reuters
