Iranian Missiles and Proxies Are the Key to Lasting Peace in the Gulf Region

JAKARTA - Major diplomats of the Gulf countries said on Thursday, dealing with Iranian proxies and missiles is the key to lasting peace, while trade and investment with Tehran will be reversible and dependent on Iran's compliance with its deal with the United States.

"The ministers further stressed that lasting regional peace and security require addressing the entire spectrum of Iranian threats, including its ballistic missiles, drones, and its support for proxies in the region," the Gulf countries' foreign ministers said in a joint statement after a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama, Bahrain, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Al Arabiya and AFP reported (26/6).

"Any trade and investment with Iran is conditional and revocable, depending on Iran's compliance with the MoU and final agreement, cessation of destabilizing behavior, and creation of the necessary conditions for economic engagement," they added.

Earlier on Thursday, Secretary of State Rubio said the US wants to reach an agreement with Iran, but not at any price, assuring Gulf allies that their interests would be considered.

This happened after the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war in the Middle East.

"Although we want an agreement, we do not want an agreement at any price," said Foreign Minister Rubio.

"We want a good deal, a real deal, a verifiable deal, and a deal that is adhered to," he said.