JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of trying to make the Strait of Hormuz a bargaining tool amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"It is very clear that Iran, at least some parties in the country, want to control the Strait of Hormuz and make it a tool to pressure the world," Rubio said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, July 20.
Rubio menilai sejumlah pihak di Iran ingin memanfaatkan kendali atas jalur pelayaran strategis tersebut sebagai alat pengaruh terhadap komunitas internasional.
He said the United States would continue to take the necessary steps to maintain global shipping security. However, according to Rubio, other countries also need to contribute, both through funding support and military capabilities.
"The United States will continue to do what is necessary to protect global shipping, but other countries must also increase their contributions, both in terms of equipment and financial support, to help shoulder that responsibility," he said.
However, according to Rubio, Washington remains open to reaching a diplomatic settlement with Iran.
However, he warned that if the diplomatic track failed, the situation would not be favorable for Tehran.
According to Rubio, the Iranian government has sent signals that they want to return to dialogue with the United States.
Meanwhile, regarding the death of a US soldier in Iraq on Saturday, Rubio said the incident was an accident during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone that had been shot down.
Rubio also said one Iranian missile managed to penetrate Jordan's air defense system on Friday, although most of the other missiles were intercepted.
He added that US forces launched an attack on Iran in response to the launch of missiles and drones that, according to Washington, targeted commercial vessels.
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