Rubio to address Gulf allies' fears

ABU DHABI:

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged he faces a delicate mission this week pitching Washington's Iran peace deal to Gulf Arab leaders who fear excessive concessions will strengthen Tehran and reshape the region's security balance and oil flows.

America's top diplomat arrived in the United Arab Emirates late on Tuesday and was due to travel in coming days to Kuwait and Bahrain, where he will meet officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council, a grouping of monarchies that also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.

Asked if he was planning to address allies' disquiet with the accord, Rubio told reporters: "That most certainly will come up in these discussions." He said they would also discuss issues not covered by the memorandum of understanding.

At issue are elements of a draft agreement that includes no limits on Iran's ballistic missiles, a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund and provisions that could

expand Tehran's

regional influence and control over critical oil shipping lanes.