US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington remains open to a diplomatic solution and negotiations with the Islamic Republic, despite ongoing US military strikes against targets inside Iran.
Speaking on Sunday, July 19, ahead of his departure for the Philippines to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Rubio accused the Islamic Republic of attempting to use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the global community amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Rubio stated that Iran, or at least certain factions within its ruling establishment, is seeking to seize control of vital straits, emphasizing that the United States will take whatever steps are necessary to protect global shipping.
The US Secretary of State also urged international partners to take on a greater role in securing maritime routes, adding that their participation should expand in terms of both military assets and financial contributions.
Rubio’s remarks extended beyond the Strait of Hormuz to include the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea. He expressed concern that actions by Yemen’s Houthis could create a situation similar to that in the Strait of Hormuz, further disrupting the flow of oil to global markets.
