Rubio warns that Iranian control on Hormuz would be dangerous

लगानी न्यूज

६ श्रावण २०८३, बुधबार १३:२०July 22, 2026

. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that if Iran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz, it would set a dangerous precedent for global maritime transport. He said the impact would not only be limited to the Middle East but also to other strategic sea lanes around the world.

Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers in Manila, Rubio made it clear that no country has the right to control international waterways, charge or attack ships that refuse to do so.TAG_OPEN_div_26 According to him, if such an exercise is accepted, it would undermine the basic principles of international maritime law and free navigation.

He said Iran claims the right to control its traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but none of the existing international legal systems recognize it.TAG_OPEN_div_24 He said freedom of navigation was a fundamental principle of international order and it could not be compromised.

Rubio’s remarks came shortly after U.S. Central Command said it had continued its eleventh overnight assault on Iran’s military infrastructure.TAG_OPEN_div_22 The US military said the strikes were aimed at undermining Iran’s ability to threaten merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

His remarks also assume significance in the context of the ongoing maritime dispute between China and some ASEAN member states in the South China Sea.TAG_OPEN_div_20 Ahead of Rubio’s arrival in Manila, the United States had criticized the latest clash between Philippine and Chinese ships in disputed waters.

Rubio is scheduled to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.TAG_OPEN_div_18 He will also hold separate meetings with representatives of partner countries of the Quad, including India, Australia and Japan.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rubio said the United States is still open to diplomatic dialogue with Iran.TAG_OPEN_div_16 But he accused Tehran of not taking the talks seriously and said the United States would be ready for a “constructive” dialogue if Iran came to the talks honestly.

He also threatened to “do everything necessary to protect the interests of the United States and its allies” if Iran did not take the talks seriously.TAG_OPEN_div_14