US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime corridor of strategic importance for hydrocarbon exports from Gulf monarchies to the rest of the world, as an “economic nuclear weapon”, warning that Iran aims to impose its own “dominance” in the region.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, the US Secretary of State and national security adviser to the President said the disruption of the key shipping route illustrates why Iran should never be allowed to acquire a nuclear arsenal.
Strategic pressure point
“The strait is basically the equivalent of an economic nuclear weapon they are trying to use against the world, and they brag about it,” Rubio said.
He added that if Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons, it would “hold the entire region hostage”.
Tehran has for decades denied seeking to develop a nuclear weapons arsenal.
Uncertainty over Washington’s response
Rubio declined to give a clear answer when asked how President Donald Trump might respond if Tehran continues to refuse negotiations on Washington’s demands, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear energy programme.
Since the start of the US–Israeli war against Iran two months ago, Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Under normal conditions, around 20 per cent of the oil and liquefied natural gas exported by Gulf states to global markets passes through the waterway.
The closure has contributed to a sharp rise in energy prices.
The United States has also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to eliminate revenue from Iranian crude oil exports.
Ceasefire but stalled talks
A ceasefire declared after 40 days of hostilities remains in place. However, negotiations between the two countries, long-standing adversaries, appear to have reached an impasse.
Source: AFP