Marco Rubio Launches Gulf Tour to Discuss Iran Memorandum and Strait of Hormuz

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to begin a tour of three Gulf countries on Tuesday amid ongoing negotiations with Iran, according to a statement from his spokesperson cited by Agence France-Presse.

The US State Department spokesperson, Tommy Beigout, said in a statement that Rubio will address the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to guarantee full and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region during his visits to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Pakistan, alongside Qatar, is leading mediation efforts between Iran and the United States to reach a final and comprehensive agreement to end the 39-day war that began on February 28.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the first meeting of the high-level committee under the "Islamabad Understanding" framework concluded successfully in Switzerland, noting that a roadmap was agreed upon aiming to achieve a final agreement between Iran and the United States within 60 days.