US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, 25 June pledged that Gulf Arab states would be kept closely involved at every stage of Washington's ongoing negotiations with Iran, stating that the United States would not make any commitments affecting regional security without first consulting its Gulf partners. The assurance came after a ministerial meeting between the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in Bahrain.

What Rubio Said After the GCC Meeting

Speaking to reporters following the Bahrain talks, Rubio said Gulf leaders had made their expectations unambiguous — they wanted regular, structured consultations as negotiations with Tehran transition from a political framework to technical-level 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 said.

He added that Washington intended to establish a formal communication channel with Gulf governments so that partners would not be left learning about developments through press reports. '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,' he said.

Qatar's Mediation Role and the Broader Gulf Voice

Rubio acknowledged Qatar's central role as a mediator in the US-Iran process but stressed that all six Gulf countries must remain engaged throughout. 'We want them to be involved... it's helpful that Qatar is there as a mediator, but we want the views of all these countries to be reflected,' he said. Washington, he emphasised, would not conclude any 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 aligned with, and that in any way could undermine their security and their stability,' Rubio stated.

Iran's Proxy Networks: A Core Gulf Concern

Rubio made clear that Gulf anxieties extend well beyond Iran's nuclear programme to Tehran's support for armed non-state actors across the Middle East. Citing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 17 June between Washington and Tehran, he said the document explicitly addressed non-interference in the sovereignty of independent nations.

'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,' he said. '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.'

Strait of Hormuz: Zero Tolerance for Transit Fees

Rubio also flatly rejected any proposal to impose transit charges on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy shipments. '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. He reinforced the position moments later: 'If you are charging money to use the straits, we won't support it. We won't tolerate it; we won't allow it.'

Background: The US-Iran MOU and What Comes Next

The comments follow a joint statement issued by the US and the GCC welcoming the 17 June MOU between Washington and Tehran, while stressing that any final agreement must prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and must address its ballistic missiles, drone capabilities, and support for regional proxy groups. The MOU established a negotiating framework after weeks of elevated regional tensions. Gulf states have sought greater visibility into the process given the direct implications any deal could carry for regional security, maritime trade, and energy exports. Technical-level talks are expected to follow, with Gulf consultation now formally on the agenda.