US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran was expected to announce the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to attacks on ships a week ago, but instead attacked three vessels. 'They keep signaling they want to talk, but we respond to their actions,' Rubio said, according to Abu Ali Express. He reiterated that the US remains open to diplomacy but Iran's conduct must change.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of violating an understood pledge to open the Strait of Hormuz and stop attacks on shipping, saying that instead of announcing the waterway's reopening a week ago, Tehran attacked three vessels. 'Their conduct must change so that our conduct changes,' Rubio said Monday evening, according to Abu Ali Express.
The statement is the latest in a series of Rubio remarks on the Iran standoff this week. Earlier Monday, Rubio said Iran must stop violating the existing memorandum of understanding for negotiations to proceed (14:49 Jerusalem), and that Iran signals willingness for talks while continuing to use the strait as leverage (17:25). The new accusation adds a concrete example of what the US considers Iranian non-compliance.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since the IRGC Navy declared a blockade in June, citing U.S. and Israeli violations. The US has since conducted strikes against Iranian assets and maintained a naval escort for commercial shipping. Rubio reiterated that the US remains open to a diplomatic solution, but said Washington's response is determined by Tehran's actions, not its words.
- DevelopingRubio: Iran must stop violating existing deal for negotiations to proceed
- DevelopingIran says it closed Strait of Hormuz, struck vessel after US requested open passage
- DevelopingRubio dismisses Iranian 'extreme rhetoric', warns US will act if ships blocked
- DevelopingIran accuses US of violating Strait of Hormuz MOU, says restrictions are 'responsible response'
Source and signal
- Internal intake