Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said that Iran would not be able to impose taxes in the Strait of Hormuz as part of any final agreement with the United States, stressing that such a measure would be contrary to international law.
“This is an international maritime lane. No country is allowed to impose taxes or tariffs on an international maritime lane,” Rubio told reporters, adding that he believed “all countries in this region would agree with us.”
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On Tuesday, the American diplomat arrived in Abu Dhabi, the first stop on a tour of Gulf countries aimed at reassuring U.S. allies hit by Iranian missiles and drones during the war with Iran, a war they have opposed.
After arriving in Abu Dhabi, Rubio confirmed that the protocol of the agreement with Iran would also be addressed during the talks.
“This will certainly be discussed during these talks,” he told reporters when asked whether he would try to reassure Gulf allies, who have been hit hard by Iranian retaliation for the U.S.-Israel strikes.
“Some points that are not in the memorandum of understanding will certainly be discussed, but the memorandum itself will certainly have to be reviewed,” he said.
Rubio added that “a careful reading of the memorandum of understanding clearly shows that when we speak, for example, of a complete and final cessation of hostilities throughout the region, this is not possible as long as Iran’s proxies are launching missiles and drones from Iraq and engaging in terrorist acts, as Hamas and Hezbollah have done.”
The U.S. secretary is expected to hold meetings with Emirati authorities tomorrow, Wednesday, before traveling to Kuwait and then to Bahrain, where the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting will be held on Thursday.
