US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Washington remains committed to reaching an agreement with Iran, but stressed that any deal must protect the interests of the United States and its regional allies.

Speaking at the GCC-US Joint Ministerial Meeting in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, Rubio told Gulf foreign ministers that the United States hopes ongoing talks with Iran will lead to a positive outcome, while warning that alternative actions by Tehran could undermine prospects for diplomacy.

“The United States wants an agreement with Iran, but not at any price,” Rubio said, emphasizing that the concerns and security interests of US allies and partners in the Gulf would be taken into consideration during negotiations.

Concerns Over Regional Security

Rubio said Washington remains committed to diplomatic engagement but cautioned that certain actions by Iran would be considered unacceptable.

Among the issues highlighted by the US secretary of state was the possibility of Iran imposing fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.

“International waterways do not belong to any nation-state,” Rubio said. “This is a foundational principle of the international system. Without it, global trade and maritime security would face significant challenges.”

He warned that allowing countries to impose charges on international waterways because of their geographic location could set a dangerous precedent worldwide.

“If such a principle were accepted, it would spread throughout the world and undermine freedom of navigation,” Rubio added.

Regional Talks and Diplomatic Efforts

The GCC-US Joint Ministerial Meeting focused on recent developments in the Middle East, including diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran following the signing of a memorandum of understanding that has temporarily reduced hostilities between the two countries.

Officials discussed regional security, maritime stability, and the future of US-Gulf cooperation amid ongoing efforts to ease tensions.

Final Stop of Gulf Tour

The meeting in Bahrain marked the final stage of Rubio’s regional tour, which also included visits to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The trip comes as Washington seeks to strengthen ties with Gulf partners while pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions with Iran and maintaining stability in the region.