Rubio urges allies to "step up" to protect shipping through Strait of Hormuz

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on other countries to do more to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran is seeking to use the strategic waterway as leverage amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, The Guardian reports.

Speaking to reporters before departing for the Philippines to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Rubio said the United States would continue to safeguard global maritime trade but could not shoulder the burden alone.

“It’s clear that Iran – at least some people in Iran – want to control the straits and hold that as leverage against the world,” Marco Rubio told reporters ahead of travelling to the Philippines for a meeting of foreign ministers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

He added:

“The United States will do and continue to do what it needs to, to protect global shipping, but other countries need to begin to step up and provide – whether it’s hardware or finances – to help carry that burden.”

Asked whether a diplomatic solution to the escalating conflict remained possible, Rubio said Washington remained open to negotiations if Iran was prepared to honour any agreement reached.

“I think we’re always open to diplomacy. It has to be real. It has to be a deal that they’re willing to live by.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev