Marco Rubio warns that Iran's demand to control the Strait of Hormuz threatens the global economy and freedom of navigation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Asian leaders that Iran’s attempt to control and collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent for international waterways. Speaking at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Manila, Rubio emphasized that if a nation state can dictate terms and penalize ships that do not pay, it will impact the world economy and the principle of freedom of navigation. Rubio also addressed the ongoing conflict with Iran, noting that while Tehran is seeking a deal, it is not yet ready to commit. He described Iran as a country run by radical clerics that spends heavily on sponsored terrorism rather than its own people. Rubio highlighted that the administration is pursuing a "head for an eye" approach to Iranian aggression, contrasting it with Iran's "eye for an eye" rhetoric. He warned that Iran will continue to pay a heavy price as its industrial infrastructure remains decimated by consistent U.S. strikes.

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