US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that Iran has lost control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, arguing that oil shipments through the waterway have returned close to pre-conflict levels.
Rubio made the statement on Wednesday during his visit to Athens, Greece, where he also accused Iran’s economy of being in severe decline because of US sanctions.
“The Straits of Hormuz are open. There’s almost as much oil flowing out now as there was before this conflict began. So they’ve lost complete control of the Straits,” Rubio told reporters.
He said the economic pressure on Tehran was intensifying as a result of what he described as “crippling” sanctions, adding that Iran’s economy was “about to reach a place few countries in the world have been.”
Rubio also criticised Iran’s leadership over its spending priorities, alleging that revenue received by the country’s rulers is being used to support groups including Hezbollah and Hamas rather than improving conditions for Iranians.
The US secretary of state further reiterated Washington’s position that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, simple, period, end of story,” Rubio said.
He added that any agreement between the United States and Iran would have to provide assurances that Tehran could never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Rubio also argued that Iran had been attempting to develop such a large conventional military capability that it would become difficult for other countries to challenge or confront.
His comments came amid continuing disagreement over the status of the Strait of Hormuz. While Rubio said the waterway is open and oil flows have largely recovered, Iranian officials have continued to maintain that the strait remains under their control.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route, making developments around the waterway a significant concern for oil markets and the wider global economy.
Source: AFP.
