Rubio opens Gulf tour to shore up support for Trump’s Iran deal
Why it matters: Gulf states fear a $300 billion fund and no missile limits could leave Tehran stronger while US bases remain exposed.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-day Gulf trip with talks in Abu Dhabi, trying to ease concerns over President Donald Trump’s preliminary Iran accord. Rubio met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan before stops in Kuwait and Bahrain, where he is also due to meet the Gulf Cooperation Council. Gulf leaders broadly back ending the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, but many are wary of terms including a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund, sanctions relief and no limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program. The memorandum sets a 60-day window for broader negotiations.