Rubio warns Iran on Hormuz fees, militias, and missile threat

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington will not tolerate any Iranian attempt to impose fees or tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz during his Gulf tour. He stressed that the strait is an international waterway and, under international law, no country has the right to collect money there. He added, "This is the case in international waterways around the world, and we expect it to be the same here."

Speaking about Iran’s denials of parts of the understandings reached in the Swiss round of talks, Rubio said the U.S. administration knows exactly what was agreed. "We know what they agreed to. I do not know why they have to say the things they say," he said, adding that Tehran will have to manage its internal politics but that the real test will be whether it carries out its commitments.

In meetings in the United Arab Emirates, Rubio also addressed Iranian-backed militias and proxies across the Middle East, especially groups operating from Iraq. He said an end to hostilities in the region is impossible while Iran-backed groups fire missiles and drones from Iraq and take part in terrorism like Hamas and Hezbollah. He said that security issue is included in the memorandum of understanding and will be handled in the next stage of negotiations.

Rubio ruled out using U.S. government funds for an Iranian reconstruction fund, saying any investment would have to come from other foreign sources if Tehran chose to integrate into the region. He said, "If Iran makes a decision, if its leadership makes a decision that they want to be a country instead of a revolutionary movement exporting terrorism, they will have an opportunity to do amazing things in Iran." He also said Iran is now a greater threat to Europe than to the United States because it has missiles capable of striking large parts of the continent. Asked whether he still sees the current leadership as "crazy Islamists," after President Donald Trump praised the new leadership, Rubio replied, "That is not what I think, that is a fact."