Rubio: U.S. Will Not Accept Foreign Control Over Maritime Chokepoints or a Nuclear-Armed Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that the United States will not accept any country taking control of maritime chokepoints, noting that Iran is targeting commercial traffic in a vital waterway, in reference to the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Rubio added that the U.S. seeks a diplomatic settlement with Iran that guarantees it will never acquire a nuclear weapon.

Moreover, he explained that Washington is working to constrain Tehran's military capabilities, pointing out that Iran remains committed to completing its nuclear program, which hinders the resumption of negotiations under the memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

Furthermore, U.S. Secretary of State emphasized that Washington will not permit Iran to become a nuclear state, stressing that while the U.S. supports a diplomatic approach, it must ensure that Iran is permanently barred from obtaining a nuclear weapon.