US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 14, 2026 in Munich, southern Germany. Heads of state and government as well as foreign and defence ministers from all over the world are expected to attend the security policy talks from February 13 to 15, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)
Top US diplomat Marco Rubio warned on Thursday that a deal with Iran would not come at any price, as he sought to reassure Gulf allies that it would not undermine their security.
Rubio was in Bahrain as part of a regional tour of Gulf partners that were hit hardest by Iran during the Middle East war, which began on February 28 with a massive US-Israeli campaign of strikes against the Islamic republic.
The United States and Iran have signed a preliminary deal to end the war, embarking on negotiations expected to touch on thorny issues including Tehran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Gulf and Israel have long voiced concerns about Iran’s support for proxies in the region and its missile programme — but it remains unclear whether these topics will be addressed in the negotiations.
