US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said lasting peace and stability in West Asia cannot be achieved as long as Iranian-backed proxy groups continue launching attacks and engaging in militant activities across the region.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi as part of his visit to the Persian Gulf region, Rubio emphasized that discussions over a Lebanon ceasefire are separate from ongoing negotiations with Iran.
He added that he had recently spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, alongside US Vice President JD Vance, and that US officials were currently engaged on the ground in Lebanon.
Mr. Rubio also dismissed suggestions that Washington would seek financial contributions from regional partners for a proposed 300 billion US Dollars reconstruction fund for Iran, saying such discussions were still far down the road. On the broader issue of Iran’s future role in the region, Rubio said Tehran’s leadership faces a choice between continuing its revolutionary agenda and pursuing a more constructive path.
Secretary of State added that progress on regional security matters, including the activities of Iranian-backed groups, would be essential to any future diplomatic breakthroughs.
Mr. Rubio’s visit to the West Asia region comes days after the conclusion of the initial rounds of technical talks between Iran and the US that took place in Switzerland, as part of the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the hostilities in the region.
He has scheduled stops in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain. The trip is aimed at consulting regional allies as Washington advances discussions with Iran and addresses broader security concerns, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
