US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. He stressed that no country can control it alone. Therefore, he urged Iran to return to the negotiation table immediately to reduce rising regional tensions.
Moreover, Marco Rubio made these remarks during a press briefing at the White House. He said the “Operation Project Freedom” aims to save people, not launch attacks. As a result, he emphasized that US actions are defensive in nature and not aggressive.
In addition, he claimed that US forces destroyed seven Iranian fast boats. He also said that 10 civilian sailors died during ongoing clashes in the region. Consequently, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have increased significantly in recent days.
Furthermore, Rubio stated that US forces will continue targeting drones and boats posing threats. He accused Iran of engaging in illegal activities in the waterway. Thus, he repeated that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for global trade.
Also Read: China factory blast kills 21 in Hunan province
Meanwhile, he confirmed that the US is increasing naval deployment to protect commercial shipping. He also said that advisers including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are working on negotiations. In addition, he claimed Iran is losing around $500 million daily due to US pressure.
Finally, Marco Rubio said “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran has been completed successfully. He stated that all objectives were achieved during the operation. In conclusion, US says Strait of Hormuz must remain international waterway, while urging Iran to accept negotiations to avoid further escalation.