US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Iran aims to control the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the world, warning that allowing a single state to dominate the waterway would be 'completely illegal, unlawful, and unacceptable.' He reiterated the US will defend shipping but called on other nations to share the burden, according to journalist Or Ben Yehezkel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday expanded on his earlier remarks regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Iran seeks to control the strategic waterway and use it as leverage against the world. In remarks reported by journalist Or Ben Yehezkel, Rubio called on other countries to contribute equipment or funding to the defense of the strait, warning that the current situation where a single state could dominate an international waterway is 'completely illegal, unlawful, and unacceptable.'
This follows earlier statements by Rubio earlier today, in which he reiterated that the US remains open to negotiations with Iran but stressed that Tehran must first stop violating the existing memorandum of understanding regarding freedom of navigation (The Zioneer, 14:49 Jerusalem). Rubio also expressed frustration that other nations have not stepped up to share the burden of defending the strait, warning that the US will continue to protect shipping but cannot carry the cost alone (The Zioneer, 08:19 Jerusalem).
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint since the IRGC announced a blockade earlier this year, with the US Energy Secretary recently acknowledging that the strait remains effectively closed to commercial shipping without US Navy escort. Rubio's comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Gulf states, with the US calling for a unified stance against Iranian aggression in the waterway.
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