US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to allay concerns among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations that a potential diplomatic agreement with Iran could leave them strategically exposed.
Speaking in Bahrain on Thursday, Rubio emphasized that any deal reached with Tehran would explicitly account for the security interests of US allies in the region.
The remarks come as Rubio concludes a diplomatic tour across the Persian Gulf aimed at consolidating regional backing for a proposed deal with Iran.
The US Secretary of State sought to reassure Gulf leaders that Washington’s engagement with Tehran does not come at the expense of their sovereignty or security guarantees.
Markets responded to the diplomatic reassurance with a modest easing in risk sentiment.
Brent crude futures softened slightly from recent highs, as traders digested the signal that a diplomatic resolution could reduce the probability of prolonged shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.