Either Iran “agrees to abide by international law, or a coalition of nations from around the world and the region will make sure that it’s open,” the U.S. secretary of state said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington and its partners are prepared to ensure the Strait of Hormuz reopens “one way or another” amid the ongoing war with the Islamic Republic of Iran, while acknowledging uncertainty about Tehran’s leadership and outlining coordination with Israel.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio said the critical waterway would be reopened after military operations conclude, and that either Iran “agrees to abide by international law and not block the commercial waterway, or a coalition of nations from around the world and the region, with the participation of the U.S., will make sure that it’s open.”
His remarks come as diplomats at the U.N. Security Council debate a Bahraini proposal that would authorize countries to use “all necessary means,” including military force, to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies typically pass, has been largely shut down during the conflict, disrupting shipping and driving up energy prices. Commercial traffic in the Persian Gulf has been severely curtailed, with vessels idled or rerouted amid security threats and insurance concerns tied to Iranian attacks and warnings against transit.