The United States has rejected any possibility of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran cannot be allowed to decide who uses an international waterway. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on Monday (April 27, local time).
Rubio raised concerns about what he described as Tehran’s efforts to introduce a new control system in the Strait of Hormuz.
His comments came after Iran signaled it could reopen the strait if it reaches an agreement with Washington, following a reported joint US-Israeli strike earlier this year.
Rubio dismissed the proposal, saying it would effectively require ships to seek Iran’s permission. “When they say the strait will be open, it means you must coordinate with Iran or face consequences,” he said.
He added that such a system would undermine the principle of free navigation. “This is not reopening the strait. These are international waterways, and no country should control access or impose costs,” Rubio stated.
