US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a diplomatic tour of the Gulf on Thursday, facing persistent skepticism from regional allies regarding a proposed peace accord with Iran.
While Rubio assured partners in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain that any final agreement would respect their security interests, Gulf states remain cautious about the potential geopolitical shift.
The primary friction point centers on the financial and security architecture of the deal.
Reports indicate that Rubio did not address a proposed US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran during his meetings, a silence that has heightened concerns among allies who fear the funds could indirectly bolster Iranian regional influence.
Gulf partners are demanding explicit guarantees that the agreement will not leave them exposed to renewed Iranian aggression or economic leverage.
Markets are monitoring the diplomatic stalemate closely, with energy traders watching for signs that the peace process might stall.