U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the United States will not allow Iran to gain “permanent control” over the Strait of Hormuz or to impose a toll system, as Tehran has threatened.
“This will not be allowed under any circumstances,” Rubio said, adding that President Donald Trump has several options available to prevent such a scenario, should he choose to use them.
In an interview with ABC News, Rubio emphasized that he would not disclose details of these options or military tactics.
“These are matters handled by the Department of Defense,” he said, noting that there is a feasible plan to achieve U.S. objectives.
According to Rubio, these objectives could be accomplished “within weeks, not months.”
He explained that the goals of a potential U.S. military operation against Iran include weakening the country’s military capabilities, including destroying a significant portion of its navy and neutralizing missile systems.
“We aim to strike their defense industrial base, essentially their ability to produce missiles and drones in the future, as this poses a major threat to the region,” he said.
“Iran as you see it today is at its weakest point,” Rubio added.
He warned that without intervention, Iran could quickly restore its military capabilities.
“Imagine two years from now, with thousands of new missiles and launchers, as well as factories for further production. This is an unacceptable risk that must be addressed,” Rubio concluded.
