Rubio Asserts Lebanon's Independence from US-Iran Accord During Gulf Tour

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that Lebanon remains a distinct matter outside the framework of any memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, emphasizing that the Lebanese people themselves will determine their nation's trajectory rather than external actors.

Rubio made these remarks as he began a tour of the Gulf region, with stops planned in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, beginning in Abu Dhabi. He stressed that the United States maintains direct engagement with Lebanon's government and indicated that concerns regarding "Iranian agents" operating in the region would be addressed during appropriate moments in ongoing talks with Iran.

The Secretary of State noted that achieving regional peace would remain elusive should Iran-backed organizations persist in launching missile attacks, alluding to escalating tensions across multiple fronts in the Middle East.

His comments emerge amid mounting international efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, with recent military confrontations potentially jeopardizing the diplomatic track between the United States and Iran. While the American administration maintains that Lebanon is not incorporated into nuclear or political negotiations with Iran, Washington nonetheless views Lebanon's stability and border security as components of broader regional security architecture.

Rubio stated that matters concerning Iran-aligned groups would receive attention at a future date but declined to elaborate on specifics or scheduling.

On a separate matter, Rubio reaffirmed that international law prohibits nations from levying fees or tariffs on international waterways, a position reflecting ongoing disputes over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He underscored that freedom of passage through international maritime lanes constitutes an established principle under international law, and that the United States is monitoring developments concerning maritime traffic and energy flows throughout the region.

The tour, according to reporting, aims to address regional security concerns and monitor progress in negotiations with Iran. Rubio is scheduled to meet with Emirati officials before traveling to Kuwait and subsequently to Bahrain, where he will participate in discussions involving Gulf Cooperation Council member states as international observers track the development of new regional arrangements.