Manila, Philippines – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated his sharp accusations against Iran on Wednesday. He stated that it continues to squander its financial resources to support and fund armed groups and militias in both Iraq and Lebanon. Moreover, he asserted that Tehran is directly responsible for instigating unrest and ongoing security threats throughout the Middle East. At a press conference in the Philippine capital, Manila, Rubio also addressed the recent escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen. In addition, he expressed his hope for a de-escalation of tensions between Sana’a and Riyadh.
Rubio condemns Houthi attacks
He said the Houthi threat to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait is a major problem, as is the threat to close the Strait of Hormuz. However, he clarified that this threat is not new. He emphasized that “the root of the problem lies in Iran’s fomenting of unrest in the region.” Rubio added, “Iran has no genuine desire to resolve the crises. Instead, it uses its resources to fund Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed militias in Iraq, with the aim of destabilizing the region.”
Washington hopes for a nuclear agreement soon and rejects threats to navigation.
In a separate statement during the same press conference, the US Secretary of State affirmed Washington’s strong desire to reach a swift agreement with Tehran through diplomatic channels. The goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He also emphasized his country’s firm rejection of any threats to maritime navigation and international trade in the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio stated, “The United States prefers a diplomatic solution with Iran and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” He added, “President Donald Trump is always seeking agreements, and we want to reach an agreement with Iran as soon as possible.”
Regarding maritime security, the US Secretary of State noted that “there have been attacks targeting ships and commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.” He explained that the Strait of Hormuz is a vital international waterway affecting numerous countries. Furthermore, Rubio emphasized that Washington “will not accept Iran threatening maritime navigation in this crucial waterway.” He affirmed that US forces “continue to carry out their missions to defend freedom of navigation and protect international and regional interests.”
