US promises to protect Gulf states' interests in Iran talks as Rubio meets Gulf leaders

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held meetings with Gulf leaders and delivered a clear message: Washington will protect their security interests as it negotiates with Iran over its nuclear programme. Rubio stated publicly that lasting peace in West Asia hinges on Iran ending its support for proxy forces that have destabilised the region, from Yemen to Lebanon.

The diplomacy comes at a delicate moment in US-Iran talks. Iran separately communicated to the United States that it is not seeking to impose tolls on shipping at the Strait of Hormuz, a claim President Trump publicly acknowledged while noting that a record volume of oil flowed through the waterway. The reassurance over Hormuz is significant given fears that any breakdown in talks could see Iran threaten the critical shipping lane.

Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have long worried that a US deal with Iran could come at their expense — potentially trading away security guarantees or legitimising Iranian influence across the region. Rubio's visit was designed to address those anxieties directly and keep the Gulf states onside as negotiations progress.

For India, which imports a substantial share of its oil from the Gulf and through the Hormuz corridor, the trajectory of these talks is of direct economic consequence. A stable West Asia that keeps oil flowing freely supports India's energy security and helps contain fuel prices at home — making every diplomatic development in this volatile theatre worth watching closely.