Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
28-06-2026
MANAMA/ WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to protect Gulf allies’ interests as Washington presses ahead with Iran talks, while President Donald Trump said negotiations were ‘doing great’. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned ships against using an unapproved route through the Strait of Hormuz, saying vessels outside Tehran-approved corridors could face enforcement action. Brent crude slipped more than 1 per cent as markets bet on diplomatic progress and uninterrupted oil flows. Follow our live updates:
No tolls allowed on Strait of Hormuz: Rubio
US State Secretary Marco Rubio has reited a firm stance that no tolls will be allowed on the Strait of Hormuz, even as US-Iran tensions simmer over waterway fees. In a post on social media (formerly Twitter) Wednesday, the official White House rapid response account amplified comments from Rubio underscoring the Trump administration’s position that the Strait of Hormuz must remain free and open to international shipping without any charges. Rubio stated: “The whole world will be against any mechanism that charges money to use an international waterway. It’s that simple. The President has already said it that’s not going to happen. When we mean open the Straits, we mean open the Straits free.”
Technical talks with Iran are set to move ahead
The Trump administration said “technical negotiations” with Iran will continue in the coming days but acknowledged that the future of Tehran’s nuclear program remains the biggest hurdle to securing a lasting ceasefire after months of conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions with Iranian officials would move forward, with negotiators expected to tackle complex technical issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities, which US officials have repeatedly said must never lead to the development of a nuclear weapon.
Speaking during a diplomatic tour of the Arabian Gulf, Rubio said he visited Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to thank the three US partners for what he described as their “incredible support” during the recent conflict and subsequent ceasefire efforts.
Rubio stressed that Washington would not sideline its regional partners while pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. He assured that the US would “never undermine” Gulf allies, adding his meetings as “very frank, honest, important.”
The comments underscore the administration’s effort to reassure Gulf States, many of which have long viewed Iran’s expanding military capabilities and regional influence as a direct security threat. Officials have said any long-term agreement must address concerns shared by US allies while preventing Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program.
Oil prices retreat as fears of supply disruption ease
Global oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since the outbreak of the Iran war earlier this year, as traders increasingly bet that a US-Iran agreement will keep the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz open and allow energy exports to return to normal.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell below $74 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell below $70 and Murban crude dropped 4.57% to $66.45 (down $3.18) as of 7.48am in Tokyo, erasing most of the “war premium” that had built up during months of conflict.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday declined to say whether he agreed with US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting Iran could retain some conventional ballistic missiles, instead reiterating the military alliance’s longstanding position that Tehran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
Speaking outside the White House after meeting with Trump, Rutte avoided weighing in on the US president’s comments. (Int’l News Desk)
