ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, June 24 (ANI) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday to discuss the recent U.S.-Iran diplomatic breakthrough, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the security of its Gulf partners during the first leg of his regional tour.
The high-level meeting was confirmed by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, who outlined the key issues discussed by the two leaders.
According to Pigott, the discussions focused on President Donald Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to ensure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the region.
“They discussed President Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” Pigott said.
The visit reflects Washington’s continued diplomatic engagement with its traditional allies in the Arabian Gulf amid evolving regional security dynamics.
During the meeting, Rubio reassured the Emirati leadership of continued U.S. support.
“Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the security of the Emirates,” Pigott added.
Before meeting with President Mohamed bin Zayed, Rubio spoke with reporters upon arriving in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, emphasizing that lasting peace and stability in West Asia cannot be achieved while Iranian-backed proxy groups continue to launch attacks and engage in militant activities throughout the region.
“You can’t have the end of hostilities and conflict in the region as long as Iranian proxies are launching missiles and drones from Iraq and are participating in terrorism,” Rubio said.
Addressing questions regarding Lebanon, Rubio stressed that any ceasefire arrangement involving Lebanon would be negotiated independently of discussions with Iran, noting that Lebanon is a sovereign nation with its own government.
“Well, that process is separate. It’s separate because Lebanon is a sovereign country. It has a government. And when it comes to Lebanon and what’s happening inside of Lebanon, we’re going to negotiate a deal directly with the Lebanese government,” Rubio said.
He added that he had recently spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun alongside Vice President JD Vance and noted that U.S. officials remain actively engaged in diplomatic efforts in Lebanon.
Rubio’s visit to the Gulf region, which runs from June 23 to June 25 and includes stops in Kuwait and Bahrain, comes shortly after the conclusion of initial technical talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland.
Those discussions were part of the 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing regional hostilities and advancing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.
The multi-country trip is intended to facilitate consultations with regional allies, including members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as the United States continues negotiations with Iran.
“We’re really here to hear from them more than we are to talk,” Rubio told reporters, emphasizing that Washington wants to fully understand the economic and security perspectives of its Gulf partners following the recent talks in Switzerland.
The secretary of state noted that regional allies generally support efforts to reduce tensions, although significant challenges remain.
“All of them are on board for peace. Obviously, it all depends on the details of that peace as we work through,” Rubio said, describing the diplomatic framework as a work in progress built on groundwork established over the previous 72 hours.
Rubio also dismissed speculation that Washington would seek financial contributions from Gulf partners for a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, saying such discussions remain “far down the road.”
Addressing Iran’s future role in the region, Rubio said Tehran’s leadership faces a fundamental choice between continuing its revolutionary agenda and pursuing a more constructive path.
“If Iran’s leadership makes a decision that they want to be a country instead of a revolutionary movement that exports terror, they’re going to have an opportunity to do incredible things,” Rubio said.
He added that meaningful progress regarding the activities of Iranian-backed groups would remain essential to any future diplomatic breakthroughs. (ANI)
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