US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on Friday that the United States will not permit Iran to dominate the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning Tehran against threatening international maritime routes following renewed military confrontations between the two nations.
During a press briefing in Italy, Rubio stated that US naval forces had intercepted numerous Iranian tankers and accused Iran of firing upon American assets in international waters, which led to a defensive response from the US. He emphasized that Iran would never be allowed to control the administration of this crucial waterway and warned that any assault on US forces would provoke a strong and decisive retaliation.
These remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region after overnight military exchanges between US and Iranian forces, with ongoing clashes near the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments. Rubio noted that Washington is still awaiting Tehran’s reply to proposals intended to resolve the conflict and resume negotiations. He expressed hope that Iran would choose a serious path toward diplomacy, though no response had been received by the day of his comments.
Rubio clarified that a recent confrontation between US and Iranian forces was unrelated to what he called “Operation Epic Fury,” stressing that the latest military actions were purely defensive. He accused Iran of asserting control over an international maritime corridor, a claim the US rejects. Rubio warned that any missile attacks on American forces would be met with consequences.
Additionally, Rubio highlighted US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating that no nation desires Tehran to gain such capabilities. On the issue of Lebanon, he said the US is focused on disrupting financial support networks for Hezbollah through cooperation with the Lebanese government, explicitly ruling out direct talks with the armed group.
Rubio also described a constructive meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where they discussed various international matters in detail.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated no sign of de-escalation, accusing the US of undermining diplomatic progress through military provocations. In a post on X, Araghchi claimed that whenever diplomatic efforts begin to advance, the US resorts to dangerous military adventurism. He questioned whether Washington was being pushed toward conflict by sabotage from Israel, warning that such actions risk dragging the US into another quagmire. Araghchi asserted that Iranians do not yield to pressure.
He also dismissed a reported CIA assessment about Iran’s missile stockpiles, asserting that Tehran’s missile and launcher capabilities have actually increased rather than decreased. Araghchi, missile reserves and launcher capacities stand at 120 percent compared to March 31, contradicting claims of a 75 percent reduction.
This latest escalation follows US strikes on Iranian military sites overnight and ongoing naval confrontations near the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about wider regional instability and potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
