Arabic version: وزير الخارجية الأمريكي واثق من إعادة فتح مضيق هرمز
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen “one way or another” following the end of the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio’s comments came as speculation about a potential US troop deployment in Iran intensifies, as the strait’s effective closure impacts global oil markets.
Rubio maintained that there are “ongoing direct talks between parties in Iran and the United States, primarily conducted through intermediaries,” despite Iran’s repeated denials of such negotiations. He emphasized that President Donald Trump has consistently favored diplomacy in resolving the conflict, which escalated on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes against Iran.
The Secretary of State criticized Iran for its nuclear ambitions, urging the country to take “concrete steps” to halt its nuclear program and cease the production of missiles and drones that threaten regional stability. He claimed that Iran seeks nuclear weapons to “threaten and blackmail the world,” a claim Tehran has long refuted, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Rubio indicated that the US administration’s goals in Iran remain clear, aiming to achieve them within weeks rather than months. He warned of “severe consequences” if Iran attempts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz after the conflict concludes. The US has previously sought to build a coalition to protect maritime traffic in the strait but has faced reluctance from allies wary of deeper involvement in the conflict.
In the context of these developments, Rubio’s statements reflect the broader objectives of the Trump administration regarding Iran, which include degrading its military capabilities and promoting regime change. However, the administration’s endgame remains uncertain, particularly in relation to Israel’s more aggressive stance on regime change.
According to Al Jazeera, the conflict has already resulted in significant casualties, with at least 1,937 deaths reported in Iran since the war began, alongside fatalities in Israel and the Gulf states.
