Rubio warns Iran seeks to use Hormuz as bargaining tool

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that Tehran is attempting to use the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments — as a bargaining tool against the international community, warning that some figures in the Islamic Republic seek to control the waterway to gain leverage over world shipping routes.

Rubio warns on Hormuz leverage

Speaking to reporters before departing for the Philippines to attend a meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers, Rubio stated: "It's clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the strait and hold that as leverage against the world," according to Anadolu Agency. He noted that certain figures within the Iranian leadership appear intent on exploiting the chokepoint's strategic position.

The top US diplomat emphasized that Washington remains open to reaching a diplomatic solution with Tehran, adding that should negotiations fail, the circumstances would not favor the Islamic Republic. He claimed that Iranian officials have been sending signals indicating their desire to engage in talks with Washington.

Call for burden-sharing on maritime security

Rubio stressed that while the United States will continue taking necessary measures to ensure the security of global maritime trade, Washington expects other nations to assume greater responsibility. "The United States will do and continue to do what it needs to protect global shipping, but other countries need to begin to step up and provide, whether it's hardware or finances, to help carry that burden," he added.

The secretary's remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where commercial shipping has faced repeated threats. American forces have coordinated with regional allies in recent weeks to bolster security following Iranian actions against vessels in the strategic waterway that handles roughly one-fifth of global petroleum exports.

US soldier killed in Iraq

Addressing a recent casualty, Rubio confirmed that a US soldier died Saturday in Iraq during an accident involving the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone. The incident occurred as American forces continued operations to clear remnants of Iranian munitions used in earlier attacks against regional targets.

Rubio also disclosed that a single Iranian missile penetrated Jordan's air defenses on Friday despite the interception of most incoming projectiles. US forces subsequently conducted strikes against Iran in response to its launch of missiles and drones targeting commercial ships in regional waters.