US Secretary of State Rubio Warns Iran's Control of Strait of Hormuz is 'Dangerous Precedent' and 'Unacceptable'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned today (July 22), local time, that if Iran seizes control of the Strait of Hormuz, it would set a very dangerous precedent globally beyond the Middle East, making it unacceptable.

Attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines today, Secretary Rubio stated, "If we establish a precedent in the Middle East where one nation controls international waterways, levies tolls, and blows up ships that do not pay, that will be a very dangerous precedent that will be repeated in other parts of the world, including this region."

He continued, "Iran is demanding control over the Strait of Hormuz—control it does not possess under any existing legal mechanism," emphasizing, "The fundamental principle of freedom of navigation is being threatened. We cannot allow this to happen."

Secretary Rubio said, "The problem we face right now is that they (Iran) are not serious about dialogue," adding, "If they are serious, we will be serious."

"If they are not serious, we will take the necessary measures to protect our interests and those of our allies," he stated.

He also noted that the US remains "open-minded" toward diplomacy with Iran, saying, "The US is willing to engage in positive and constructive negotiations and discussions if commitments are upheld."

Secretary Rubio is scheduled to meet with Wang Yi, director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Office for Foreign Affairs (and Foreign Minister), later today.

The two previously met as attendees during the summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when President Trump visited China last May.

The top diplomats of the US and China are expected to primarily discuss preparations for the US-China summit slated to take place in conjunction with President Xi's visit to the United States in September.

In addition, following a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi this afternoon, Secretary Rubio plans to meet with members of the Quad, the four-nation security framework comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.