22/07/2026
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22/07/2026
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KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 22: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday accused Iran of violating a memorandum of understanding by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington would continue military operations aimed at protecting global shipping while remaining open to diplomacy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Rubio said Iran had failed to uphold commitments under the agreement, which he said called for the reopening of the Strait and the protection of freedom of navigation.
"If you make a deal, sign an agreement, and then violate it, the agreement is no longer valid," Rubio told reporters.
He alleged that instead of issuing a planned statement supporting free navigation, Iran attacked a commercial ship on the day it was expected to reaffirm the agreement.
US to Continue Targeting Shipping Threats
Rubio said the United States would continue targeting Iranian military sites involved in attacks on commercial shipping.
"Commercial ships are going through the Straits and they're being blown up," he said, adding that US forces were striking locations used to launch attacks in an effort to reduce Iran's ability to threaten international maritime traffic.
He also urged other countries to support efforts to safeguard one of the world's most critical shipping lanes.
Diplomacy Still an Option
Despite the ongoing military campaign, Rubio said Washington remained willing to pursue a negotiated settlement if Iran demonstrated genuine commitment to talks.
"We remain open to diplomacy. We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way," he said.
"But right now, they don't seem to be serious about that, and so we're going to continue to protect shipping."
Rubio Says Iran Under Pressure
Rubio said Iran was facing mounting economic and military challenges, citing soaring inflation and damage to its military infrastructure.
He accused Tehran of spending decades investing in missile and drone programmes and supporting armed groups instead of addressing domestic economic problems.
According to Rubio, those capabilities were intended to shield Iran's nuclear programme from outside pressure.
China's Position
Rubio also said China had not altered the course of the conflict and noted that Beijing had publicly opposed any restrictions on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
He expressed hope that China and other countries would continue supporting unrestricted commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
The remarks come as tensions remain high in the Gulf, with the United States continuing military operations against Iranian targets following repeated attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
