Rubio heads to Gulf to reassure allies

ABU DHABI, Jun 23: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected in the UAE on Tuesday, the first stop on a tour of Gulf states aimed at showing solidarity with key allies hit hard by the Middle East war.
The delicate mission comes with Gulf countries having paid a heavy economic price for the US and Israel's decision to go to war with Iran against their wishes, prompting Tehran to lash out at its regional neighbours.
Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz cut off the majority of Gulf states' oil and gas exports, while its drone and missile attacks shattered their sense of safety and undermined the status of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in particular as stable, peaceful havens for business and tourism.
It will be the first visit by a senior US official to the region since the signing last week of an initial deal between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the war for good.
US Vice President JD Vance has taken the lead on those negotiations, which began at the weekend in Switzerland, with Rubio yet to comment.
The diplomat is expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening, before heading to Kuwait on Wednesday and Bahrain on Thursday, where he will attend a meeting of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.
The US State Department said he would discuss the agreement with Iran, as well as efforts to ensure free transit of the Strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the region.�"AFP