Afghanistan, July 20 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is seeking to use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage amid regional tensions while Washington remains open to diplomacy.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is attempting to use the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure tool against the international community amid rising tensions in the Middle East, while maintaining that Washington remains open to diplomatic engagement.
Speaking on Sunday, Rubio said Tehran was seeking greater influence over the strategic waterway and using its importance to global trade as leverage.
"The United States will do what is necessary to protect global shipping," Rubio said, adding that other countries should also contribute to securing the wat...