Rubio warns Hormuz tolls could spread "like contagion" during Bahrain talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that any tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz could spread to other waterways and create what he described as global chaos. Speaking to a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain, he said international waterways do not belong to any nation state and argued that accepting charges on passage through a strategic strait would set a dangerous precedent. He said such a move would spread "throughout the world like a contagion".

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Rubio said the United States wants a peace deal with Iran, but not "at any price". He added that any agreement would need to be good, real, verifiable and adhered to, while also protecting the security, stability and prosperity of Gulf partners. The comments came during his first regional tour since the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East war, and after visits to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most sensitive maritime chokepoints in the world, and any disruption there can affect commercial shipping well beyond the Gulf. Rubio's warning underlined the wider stakes of the talks, which are taking place alongside efforts to preserve trade flows and regional stability. His remarks also reflected Washington's attempt to reassure Gulf states that their interests will be considered in any deal with Tehran.

The meeting in Bahrain brought together Gulf officials at a time when maritime security remains closely linked to diplomacy with Iran. The waterway is central to the movement of energy supplies and commercial vessels, making it a recurring point of tension in regional negotiations. The US position, as set out by Rubio, is that freedom of navigation in international waters should not be subject to unilateral charges or restrictions.

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The latest warning adds to a broader pattern of concern around the strait, where any escalation can quickly have economic and political consequences. It also shows how the future of the waterway is being discussed alongside the terms of a possible peace arrangement and the role of Gulf states in that process. The balance between diplomacy and deterrence remains central to the talks.

What remains unclear is whether the current negotiations can produce a durable agreement that reduces the risk to shipping and satisfies both Washington and Tehran. It is also not yet clear how Iran will respond to Rubio's warning or whether the Gulf meeting will lead to any practical steps on maritime security. For now, attention remains on the next phase of talks and on whether the Strait of Hormuz becomes a further point of pressure in the wider regional settlement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that any Iranian tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would have consequences far beyond the Gulf. Speaking during a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Bahrain, he said pressure on the waterway would spread to other international shipping routes and affect global trade. His comments came as Washington seeks to reassure regional allies while also pursuing a peace deal with Iran.

Rubio said the United States wants an agreement with Tehran, but not at any price. He added that any deal would need to be verifiable and respected, underscoring the gap that still exists over the future of Iran's nuclear programme. The meeting in Bahrain brought together Gulf officials at a time when maritime security and regional diplomacy remain closely linked.

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The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most sensitive shipping lanes, carrying a large share of global energy supplies. Any disruption there can quickly affect oil and gas markets, insurance costs and the movement of commercial vessels well beyond the Gulf. The warning from Washington comes as the region continues to manage the risk of escalation while trying to preserve trade flows and diplomatic channels.

The latest remarks also follow reports that Iran's Revolutionary Guard has rejected an alternative route in the strait. At the same time, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said inspectors would return to Iran's nuclear sites, although Tehran said inspections would resume only once a final agreement with the United States had been reached. Those parallel developments show that the security of the waterway remains tied to wider negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief.

The Bahrain meeting is part of a broader effort by the United States to keep Gulf partners aligned while talks with Iran continue. Gulf states have long viewed the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic vulnerability because any confrontation there can affect their exports and imports. The presence of senior US and Gulf officials in Bahrain reflects the importance of maintaining confidence in maritime routes at a moment of heightened regional uncertainty.

What remains unclear is whether the current diplomacy can produce a durable arrangement that reduces the risk to shipping. It is also not yet clear how Iran will respond to the latest US warnings or whether the nuclear talks will narrow the remaining differences. For now, the focus is on whether the Gulf meeting can help prevent further disruption in one of the world's most important waterways.

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