US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran's demands for payment and coordination to open the Strait of Hormuz do not constitute normalization and are intolerable.
Secretary Rubio's statement is a direct pushback against specific Iranian claims about controlling the waterway and setting transit fees.
Rubio elaborated in a Fox News interview, characterizing Iran's proposal as demanding other nations 'get our permission or we’ll blow you up, and you pay us.'
Rubio provided a direct quote characterizing Iran's stance as 'we'll blow you up' if vessels do not coordinate and pay, reinforcing the US rejection of the proposal.
A video statement from Secretary Rubio has been released, providing his direct quote on the issue.
Rubio's statement is a direct response to Iran's proposal to condition Strait of Hormuz access on a ceasefire.
Rubio explicitly stated that Iran's specific conditions—coordination, payment, and threats of strikes—do not constitute an opening of the strait and make normalization impossible.
