Rubio: Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of pressure

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is trying to use the Strait of Hormuz as a "tool to pressure the world".

He accused it of seeking to control a vital international route and called on other countries to share the burden of protecting global maritime transport.

Speaking to reporters before departing for a meeting in the Philippines, Rubio said US military operations are focused solely on stopping Iranian attacks on merchant ships and weakening Tehran's ability to threaten maritime traffic.

"It's clear that Iran, or at least some people in Iran, want to control the Strait and use it as a tool to pressure the world," Rubio said.

"The United States will continue to do what is necessary to protect global shipping, but other countries must also begin to contribute, whether with equipment or financial means, to share this burden," he added.

According to him, Washington cannot remain solely responsible for securing one of the busiest maritime trade routes in the world.

"It is not the job of the United States to forever protect the entire planet's shipping," Rubio said.

Diplomacy remains possible

Rubio said the current US military campaign is only targeting Iranian capabilities that are being used to launch missiles and drones at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

He described the Strait as an international route that must remain open.

"The only reason the United States is carrying out attacks is to strike Iranian capabilities that are being used to attack global commercial shipping," he said.

According to him, American forces have succeeded in reducing Iran's ability to strike ships and many attacks have been prevented before they were carried out.

"You hear about the ships that were hit. But you don't hear about the ones that were defended and the attacks that Iran failed to carry out," Rubio said.

Reiterating that Washington remains open to negotiations, Rubio said diplomacy would require a real change in Tehran's behavior.

"We are always open to diplomacy. But it has to be real. It has to be an agreement that they are willing to respect," he said.

Rubio accused Iran of violating previous understandings by continuing attacks on ships instead of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

"Their behavior must change for ours to change as well," he said, adding that Tehran continues to send signals through direct and indirect channels that it is interested in negotiations, while continuing missile and drone attacks.

Divisions within Iran

Rubio said that, within the Iranian leadership, divisions appear to be deepening between officials seeking economic relief through diplomacy and hardliners who want to continue the military confrontation.

"There is a growing divide between those who understand that their economy is in dire straits and others who have a very combative approach and continue to launch missiles," he said.

Rubio said Washington would welcome negotiations if more pragmatic voices gained more influence in Tehran, but warned that continuing the confrontation would deepen Iran's economic crisis.

"I don't think this is going to be good for Iran," Rubio said, describing the country's economy as in ruins, with high inflation, food and fuel shortages, falling incomes and serious domestic problems.

Rubio also accused the Iranian leadership of using resources to support groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and regional militias, instead of investing in its own people.

According to him, within Iran, including among some government officials, there is a growing awareness that the country's current direction is not sustainable.

"If the door opens for diplomacy, we will welcome it," Rubio said./ REL