Iran Uses Hormuz Strait for Pressure, Rubio Urges International Action

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted on Sunday that Iran is leveraging the Strait of Hormuz as a tool for pressure in the Middle East conflict. He called upon other nations to step up their efforts to safeguard international shipping routes. "It is clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the strait and use it as an instrument of pressure against the world," Rubio told reporters before traveling to the Philippines for a meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers. The U.S. will continue to do "whatever is necessary to protect global shipping," Rubio added, but emphasized that "other countries must start stepping forward and contributing, whether it's with material or financial resources, to help carry that burden."

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It is clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the strait and use it as an instrument of pressure against the world.

Rubio also commented on the possibility of diplomacy, stating, "I think we are always open to diplomacy. It has to be real. It has to be an agreement that they are willing to abide by." A fragile truce between Iran and the United States had reportedly fractured following alleged Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway was responsible for transporting a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply before the recent conflict.

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The United States will do and continue to do whatever is necessary to protect global shipping, but other countries must start stepping forward and contributing, whether it's with material or financial resources, to help carry that burden.