U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday (June 23) that Iran would not be able to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz as part of any final agreement with the U.S., saying that such an arrangement would be contrary to international law.
Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, before travelling to Kuwait and Bahrain, where he will meet officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council, a grouping of monarchies that also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.
Rubio will be pitching Washington's Iran peace deal to Gulf Arab leaders who fear excessive concessions will strengthen Tehran and reshape the region's security balance and oil flows.
At issue are elements of a draft agreement that includes no limits on Iran’s ballistic missiles, a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund and provisions that could expand Tehran’s regional influence and control over critical oil shipping lanes.
Rubio and U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in a call on Tuesday that the U.S. was following up on understandings reached in Switzerland, including plans to consolidate a ceasefire in Lebanon.
The statement, issued as Lebanon and Israel began a new round of talks in Washington, added that arrangements for a mechanism to firm up the ceasefire and monitor its implementation were still being discussed.
Posted by: AAngeles/NET25 News
