Marco Rubio Discusses US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding with UAE President

Washington - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed a US-Iran memorandum of understanding with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday, according to US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott. “Secretary Rubio met today with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and senior UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi. They discussed President (Donald) Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran,” Pigott said in a statement. He added that the US and UAE also discussed efforts to ensure safe and uninterrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. “They also discussed the strong bilateral relationship between the US and the UAE and the ongoing partnership in defence and trade,” Pigott stated. Rubio expressed gratitude to the UAE for its “extraordinary” support during recent operations in the Middle East, he said. The document also sets a timeline for the US to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and for Iran to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also committed not to acquire nuclear weapons, with the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme to be resolved through a separate agreement. The parties will negotiate the matter within 60 days. For Tehran, the final outcome must be the lifting of sanctions against Iran.