Rubio vows Gulf role in Iran talks

Washington, June 25 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said Gulf Arab states would be kept closely involved at every stage of Washington’s negotiations with Iran, saying the United States would not make commitments affecting regional security without consulting its partners.

Speaking after a ministerial meeting between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Bahrain, Rubio said Gulf leaders had made it clear they wanted regular consultations as negotiations with Tehran move from the political framework to technical discussions.

“They’ve shared with us some very concrete concerns, ideas, and… I think the biggest concern is that they really just want to be informed every step along the way, as we enter these negotiations at both the technical and political levels,” Rubio told reporters.

He said the United States welcomed Qatar’s role as mediator but wanted all six Gulf countries to remain engaged throughout the process.

“We want them to be involved, and we want their — it’s helpful that Qatar is there as a mediator, but we want the views of all these countries to be reflected.”

Rubio added that Washington would not conclude an agreement that undermined the interests of its regional allies.

“We’re not going to do anything or agree to anything that they’re not aware of, that our partners in the area are not aware of, that our partners in the area are not aligned with, and that in any way could undermine their security and their stability,” he said.

The Secretary said the United States intended to establish a formal consultation process with Gulf governments as negotiations progressed.

“Every step of the way, we’ll create a system where we are always in communication with them, and they’re not reading about it in the media.”

Rubio said regional concerns extended beyond Iran’s nuclear programme to Tehran’s support for armed groups across the Middle East.

“If you look at the MOU, it talks about peace in the region. It talks for no interference in the sovereignty or interest of independent countries, of sovereign countries.”

“When you’re sponsoring militias in Iraq, you’re interfering in Iraq. When you’re sponsoring Hamas or the Houthis or whoever it may be, you’re interfering in the sovereignty of these countries.”

“You’re not going to have peace and stability in this region as long as there are non-state actors operating within the boundaries and borders of sovereign countries and being funded by Iran,” he said.

Rubio also dismissed any suggestion that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz could become subject to transit charges.

“There is zero support — zero support — among the Gulf countries for any sort of toll or fees or anything that charges for the use of international waters,” he said.

Later, he reinforced that position.

“If you are charging money to use the straits, we won’t support it. We won’t tolerate it; we won’t allow it.”

“There isn’t a nation on earth that supports having to pay money to go through the straits,” Rubio said.

The comments came after the United States and GCC issued a joint statement welcoming the June 17 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran while stressing that negotiations should prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and address its ballistic missiles, drones and support for regional proxy groups.

The US-Iran MOU established a framework for negotiations following weeks of regional tensions. While Qatar has played a central mediation role, Gulf states have sought greater visibility into the negotiating process because of the direct impact any agreement could have on regional security, maritime trade and energy exports.

–IANS

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