US Rejects Iran's Claim to Hormuz Strait Sovereignty

JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran's demand that the United States recognize Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, in ongoing negotiations, is unacceptable.

"Recognition of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is not only unacceptable to us, but also to the international community. No country will agree to it," Marco Rubio told Al Jazeera, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, March 31.

Previously, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday (26/3) said 15 points of the peace plan had been conveyed by the US to Iran through Pakistan and claimed to have received a "positive response".

However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry considers the plan unrealistic. The Tasnim news agency reported that Iran had sent an official response to the US proposal and was now waiting for a response from Washington.

In its response, Tehran reportedly demanded compensation in the form of a cessation of war on all fronts involving its allies in the region, as well as recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched attacks on a number of targets in Iran, including in Tehran, which caused damage and civilian casualties. Iran then retaliated by attacking Israeli territory as well as American military facilities in the Middle East.

Escalation of the conflict around Iran has led to a de facto blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for the shipment of oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf countries to global markets. The blockade also has an impact on oil exports and production in the region.