Washington, July 24: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning on Thursday. He stated that allowing Iran to control ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent. This situation would not only affect the Middle East but could also extend its impact to the Indo-Pacific region.
Rubio emphasized that this issue transcends regional tensions. It concerns the freedom of navigation on maritime routes and the security of global trade systems. Speaking at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila, he pointed out that Iran’s actions threaten a fundamental principle of international trade. This is particularly critical for Asia, where economies heavily rely on maritime commerce.
He remarked, “Iran is claiming the right to control the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but under any current international legal framework, it has no such authority.” Rubio described the Strait of Hormuz as an international maritime route. He warned that if any country were allowed to control such passages, the consequences would not be confined to the Gulf region.
He stated, “If we allow a precedent in the Middle East where a country decides to control an international maritime route, imposes taxes or fees, and threatens to destroy ships that do not comply, we will establish a very dangerous example. This could be replicated in other parts of the world, including this region.”
Addressing the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries, Rubio clarified that this dispute is not merely between Iran and the U.S. It is about upholding the rules of international maritime movement. He asserted, “This is not just an issue of the Strait of Hormuz. The real question is the freedom of navigation on maritime routes. If this is threatened, it will impact the entire global economy and jeopardize the international trading system that has been in place for the last 150 years.”
Rubio reiterated that the U.S. remains open to negotiations with Iran. However, he accused Iran of failing to fulfill promises made during previous talks, despite initiating the dialogue. He stated, “The U.S. has always favored diplomatic discussions. We are ready to engage openly and resolve differences through dialogue.”
He mentioned that Iran had reached out to the U.S. both directly and indirectly but has not honored its commitments from earlier agreements. Unfortunately, despite agreements, Iran has not adhered to its obligations.
Referring to President Donald Trump, Rubio said that if Iran genuinely seeks negotiations, the U.S. is also prepared to engage seriously. He concluded, “If they are serious, we are serious. But if not, we will take necessary actions to protect our interests and those of our allied nations.”
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