Rubio in UAE to address Gulf concerns over Iran agreement

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates late Tuesday on the first leg of a three-nation tour of Gulf countries. The trip aims to ease concerns about an agreement intended to end the war with Iran, following a two-day diplomatic flurry in Switzerland led by Vice President JD Vance. Vance stated the resulting agreement would end all hostilities in the region, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and provide sanctions relief, with nuclear program negotiations to conclude in 60 days. Rubio will hold meetings starting Wednesday in the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, nations that Iran struck with missiles and drones in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. Rubio said he would explain the benefits of the agreement to skeptical Gulf states, arguing that a proposed $300 billion investment fund for Iran depends on its leadership choosing to be a country rather than a revolutionary movement. He also stated that the memorandum of understanding calls for a complete end of hostilities, which he said requires Iran to halt funding for proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. On the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio said the U.S. would not accept any tolls or fees on the international waterway.

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Sources: abcnews.com