US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Iran is seeking to use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the international community, warning that Iranian control of an international waterway would be 'illegal and unacceptable.' He reiterated that the US will continue to defend freedom of navigation but called on other nations to contribute militarily and economically, arguing that the burden should not fall on the US alone.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening issued a fresh statement on the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Iran is seeking to use the strategic waterway as leverage against the international community. Rubio said Iranian control of an international shipping lane would be 'completely illegal and unacceptable,' and reiterated that the United States will continue to defend freedom of navigation. However, he called for other nations to share the burden militarily and economically, arguing that 'protecting the entire world cannot be the sole responsibility of the United States.'
The statement follows a similar message from Rubio earlier Monday, as The Zioneer reported at 15:33 Jerusalem, when he said the world must decide on action against Iran's attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz. The new remarks, reported by the source covering Arab world affairs, appear to elaborate on the same theme with a stronger emphasis on burden-sharing.
Rubio's comments come amid a broader diplomatic and military standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. In recent weeks, Iran has warned Gulf states against allowing US or Israeli forces to use their territory, and Tehran has asserted control over navigation in the strait. The US has deployed significant aerial refueling assets to the region, as The Zioneer reported on June 28. The exact venue and timing of Rubio's latest statement remain unclear, and the report has not been independently confirmed.
3 developments
- DevelopingChananel Aviv: Iran leveraging Hormuz Strait as 'effective pressure lever' against Trump in talks
- DevelopingRubio: Iran violated pledge to open Strait of Hormuz, attacked 3 ships
- StrongRubio warns Iran Hormuz toll scheme is unworkable: 'You shoot one ship, you sink one ship'
- DevelopingIranian Telegram source says Tehran is leveraging Hormuz pressure on Trump
Source and signal
- Internal intake