Rubio Presses Iran to Curb 4 Proxy Networks as Gulf States Question U.S. Deal
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 28
Rubio Presses Iran to Curb 4 Proxy Networks as Gulf States Question U.S. Deal
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 28
Summary
Gulf leaders told Marco Rubio their biggest concern is that this month’s U.S.-Iran deal leaves Tehran’s regional proxy network largely untouched, even as Washington says any final accord must also halt support for Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and the Houthis.
Analysts expect Iran to lean harder on those groups after the conflict, arguing Tehran still sees Hezbollah as central despite its losses in 2024-25 and wants to rebuild command over allied forces across the region.
Lebanon and Yemen show the immediate risk: Iran tied its ceasefire with the U.S. to ending fighting in Lebanon, straining Israel-U.S. ties, while the Houthis proved they can still threaten Red Sea shipping and target Israel.
Iraqi Shia militias launched dozens of drone and rocket attacks on U.S. assets and Kuwait but stopped short of full mobilisation, held back by retaliatory strikes and Iraqi domestic politics.
Across the region, U.S. and Israeli efforts to use rival proxies have also shown limits—from a shelved Kurdish plan needing 12 to 24 months of preparation to weak anti-Hamas militias in Gaza—underscoring the broader push to restore state authority.
After 20 years on the shelf, why did the US-Israeli plan to use Kurdish proxies against Iran completely fall apart?
With a new nuclear deal signed, why is Iran now escalating its support for proxy armies across the Middle East?
How did an Israeli-backed militia, meant to counter Assad, end up fueling a massive surge in the region's drug trade?
Gulf Security at a Crossroads: U.S.-Iran Peace Framework, Regional Tensions, and the Future of the Strait of Hormuz
Overview
In late June 2026, after the signing of a preliminary U.S.-Iran peace framework, Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Gulf states to address rising regional tensions and reassure America’s key Sunni-led allies, who see Iran as their main rival. Rubio’s tour focused on clarifying the fragile U.S.-Iran deal and reaffirming Washington’s commitment to Gulf security and freedom of navigation. This diplomatic effort came as Gulf states expressed deep concerns about the agreement’s impact on the regional balance of power and their own security, highlighting the ongoing challenges and uncertainties in U.S. relations with its Gulf partners.