By Ginika Igboke
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 30 that the Trump administration is prepared to respond if Iran attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz or impose tolls on oil tankers passing through the critical global shipping route.
His remarks came after President Donald Trump warned that the United States could take military action against Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the strait. The narrow waterway connects the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean and is one of the most vital arteries for global energy supplies.
Despite the warning, Trump emphasized that diplomatic efforts are still underway and that progress has been made in ongoing discussions.
Rubio, speaking in an interview with ABC News, criticized Iran’s reported plans to exert long-term control over the passage.
“They are making threats about controlling the Hormuz Strait in perpetuity, creating a tolling system and the like,” Rubio said. “That’s not going to be allowed to happen. The president has a number of options available to him, if he so chooses, to prevent that.”
While declining to provide details on potential actions, Rubio made clear that the United States and its allies would not accept restrictions on international waters.
“The Iranians are threatening that they are going to set up some permanent system in the Strait of Hormuz where they get to decide who goes through international waterways,” he said. “That will never be allowed to happen. The rest of the world should take note.”
Since the conflict began in late February, Iran has effectively disrupted traffic through the strait, with reports of attacks on commercial vessels contributing to heightened risk in the region. The situation has rattled global markets and fueled a sharp increase in oil prices.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, was trading at around $115 per barrel on Monday—an increase of nearly 60 percent since the start of hostilities. The rise in energy costs has translated into higher fuel prices for consumers. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $3.99, up more than $1 since the conflict began.
Rubio said the administration is prioritizing diplomatic channels, even as tensions remain high. He noted that communications between Washington and Tehran are ongoing, though often conducted indirectly.
“There are messages being relayed back and forth, some conversations going on, including through intermediaries,” Rubio said. “And the president always prefers that approach.”
He also suggested that divisions exist within Iran’s leadership over how to handle the crisis, though he declined to provide specifics, citing safety concerns.
“I’m not going to disclose who those people are because it could put them at risk,” Rubio said. “But there are internal fractures.”
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have pushed back against U.S. proposals aimed at ending the conflict. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei recently criticized a 15-point cease-fire plan put forward by Washington, calling it “excessive” and reiterating that no direct negotiations between the two countries have taken place.
As tensions persist, the future of the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain, with significant implications for global trade, energy markets, and regional stability.
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