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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with reporters before leaving Bahrain International Airport after visiting the Middle East to discuss the interim deal between the U.S. and Iran with Arab Gulf allies in Manama on June 25, 2026. — AFP
– The United States opposes any future fees on the Strait of Hormuz.
– Washington aims for an agreement that does not jeopardize regional stability.
– Technical discussions between Iran and the U.S. are set to resume in the coming days.
Top U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio emphasized Thursday that any deal with Iran wouldn’t come at any cost and reassured Gulf allies that their security wouldn’t be compromised. Rubio visited Bahrain as part of a regional tour, speaking to Gulf partners severely impacted by Iran during ongoing Middle East conflict—a campaign launched on February 28 involving significant U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
The U.S. and Iran have preliminarily agreed to begin negotiations addressing complex issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio stated at a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain, “While we want a deal, we don’t want a deal at any price. We need to ensure that no part of this agreement threatens the security, stability, or prosperity of our Gulf partners.”
Rubio also reassured the Gulf nations that the Strait of Hormuz, vital for their oil and natural gas exports for decades, will remain free of tolls. Iran previously blockaded Hormuz as retaliation during the war, which caused a global economic shock. Iran has indicated plans to introduce maritime service fees and warned that unauthorized crossings will be dealt with harshly. The U.S. and allies have rejected such tolls outright, with Rubio reaffirming that Hormuz must be recognized as an international waterway, a principle essential to global order.
Oman’s top diplomat, Badr Albusaidi, confirmed that plans for Hormuz do not include transit fees, despite Iran and Oman mentioning discussions of possible charges for services in the strait. Oman recently released a map of a temporary shipping route that runs close to its coast, coordinated with the International Maritime Organization. Iran, through its Revolutionary Guards, later criticized the new route without specifically mentioning Oman.
An agreement signed last week by Iran and the U.S. allows commercial ships to transit the strait free of charge for 60 days, but future arrangements remain unclear.
Iran, feeling emboldened since the conflict intensified, refuses to relinquish control over Hormuz and has called its initial deal with Washington a “declaration of America’s defeat.” President Donald Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday, touting the negotiations as successful. Meanwhile, Trump requested nearly $88 billion in emergency funding to cover war expenses, just after Congress urged him to end the conflict unless explicitly authorized for further military action.
Iran criticized NATO’s support for the U.S., with Foreign Minister spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accusing the transatlantic alliance of participating in an “illegal war.” Technical talks between the U.S. and Iran are expected to resume soon after a first round held in Switzerland. Additionally, separate reconciliation discussions between Gulf countries and Iran are anticipated to be held in Saudi Arabia, though no specific date has been provided.
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