Rubio travels to the Gulf region: first cabinet visit after the framework agreement with Iran

According to the Department, the focus of the talks is to be the agreement with Iran, the securing of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as questions of peace and stability in the region. As the Department further explained, with regard to the Gulf states, the primary focus will be on discussing the importance of peace and stability in the region.

Strait of Hormuz at the center

A central element of the agreement is the future of the strait. According to the US government, the agreement provides, among other things, that Iran guarantees free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important routes in global oil and gas trade. During the war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other, shipping there was at times severely disrupted.

In addition, Ghalibaf confirmed that it had been agreed with the US to establish a communication channel for the Strait of Hormuz in order to enable safe shipping through the strait. At the same time, Tehran insists, according to its own statements, on retaining control over the strategically important waterway.

Rubio's trip comes just days after the signing of the framework agreement. Washington observers see the visit as a signal to the Gulf partners to rebuild the trust that had been strained in recent weeks. The US had previously assured the Gulf states that it would take their security interests into account in the negotiations with Tehran.

Nuclear inspections as a point of negotiation

The importance of the trip is also underscored by the timing: on Monday, Washington had already issued a temporary general license for the export of Iranian oil. Observers see this as a first concrete economic signal of détente.

At the same time, the expert talks between Washington and Tehran are now beginning, which are to lead to a final agreement in the coming weeks. Among other things, these talks concern Iran allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into the country. This point is also part of the treaty framework.

Another topic of the trip is likely to be the damage to American facilities in the Gulf region. US facilities were also damaged during this time, according to US statements. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain were among the countries repeatedly targeted by Iranian attacks during the conflict.

Accusations against Kuwait and Bahrain

Iran has specifically accused Kuwait and Bahrain of enabling attacks by the United States from their national territory. These accusations are likely to play a role in Rubio's talks with the leadership in Manama and Kuwait City.

Meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council

On Thursday, a meeting with representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council is also planned in Bahrain. The US government hopes that this encounter will produce a common line among the Gulf states on implementing the agreement with Tehran. The states around the Persian Gulf are likely to play an important role in implementing the agreement.

From the US perspective, the trip is also a kind of stability mission. In view of the Iranian demand to administer the Strait of Hormuz itself, Washington wants to prevent the strait from once again becoming the scene of military confrontations. The communication channel between Washington and Tehran is intended to serve here as a de-escalation mechanism.

Diplomatic stress test for the agreement

The visit is considered the first political stress test for the framework agreement signed just a few days ago. If Rubio manages to secure the Gulf states' support for implementation, this would significantly facilitate the negotiation process with Tehran.

Observers in Washington expect that the trip will also serve to prepare further diplomatic steps. High-level meetings between representatives of the Gulf states and the Iranian government could follow soon.

Meanwhile, some analysts point out that trust between Washington and its Gulf partners has suffered considerably as a result of the Iranian attacks of recent weeks. Rubio will therefore have to do significant persuasive work in the coming days.