Rubio backs UAE after Iran attacks
Washington, June 24
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
Reader Comments
UAE has always been a key US ally, but this is a delicate situation. Rubio praising UAE's leadership while trying to manage Iran ties feels like walking a tightrope. Hope they don't forget about India's concerns in the region. We have millions of Indians in UAE!
Rubio's visit to Kuwait and Bahrain too—clearly they want to shore up Gulf support. But the real question is: will the Iran understanding actually hold? India has its own ties with Iran (Chabahar port, etc.). We should not get caught in the crossfire of US-Iran tensions. ??
The UAE showed resilience during the attacks? That's good, but India has always maintained a balanced approach in West Asia. We trade with Iran and UAE both. Hope Delhi keeps its strategic autonomy. Rubio's meetings won't change that.
Everyone talking about "peace and stability" in the Gulf—but whose peace? Washington's terms? The GCC has its own dynamics. India's diaspora there is huge, and we've always favored dialogue over confrontation. I just hope this visit doesn't escalate things further.
A balanced view: Yes, US has every right to back allies like UAE. But India's non-aligned approach works. We should strengthen ties with both UAE and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz affects our oil imports. Let's not pick sides unnecessarily.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.