Washington, June 24 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and senior Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, as Washington intensified diplomatic efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran and reinforce security cooperation with Gulf allies.
The meeting came during Rubio’s June 23-25 trip to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, where he is holding talks on regional security, maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz and broader efforts to maintain stability in the Gulf.
Rubio and Sheikh Mohamed 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,” the State Department said.
The talks also focused on the strategic partnership between Washington and Abu Dhabi.
The two sides discussed “the strong bilateral U.S.-UAE ties and continued partnership in the areas of defense and commerce,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Rubio thanked the UAE leadership for its role during the recent regional crisis and reiterated Washington’s commitment to the country’s security.
“The Secretary thanked the UAE for their leadership and unparalleled support, praised their courage and resilience in the face of Iran’s attacks, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the security of the Emirates,” Pigott said.
The visit underscores the importance Washington places on its Gulf partnerships as it seeks to implement the recently announced understanding with Iran and ensure the uninterrupted flow of maritime traffic through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Earlier, the State Department said Rubio’s regional tour would focus on “a range of regional priorities, including the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region.”
The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The grouping serves as a key platform for political, economic and security coordination among Gulf nations and remains an important partner for the United States.
–IANS
lkj/dan
