Rubio: Strait of Hormuz “Can Be Open Tomorrow” If Iran Halts Shipping Threats

VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France / WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen as soon as tomorrow if Iran ceases its threats against international shipping, calling Tehran’s actions an outrage and a clear violation of international law. 
Rubio made the remarks as he arrived in France for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ summit, urging nations committed to upholding international law to step up and act against Iran’s maritime blockade. 
On Ukraine, Rubio pushed back against European leaders who have distanced themselves from the Iran conflict. The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had stated that “this is not Europe’s war,” while Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius also echoed that sentiment. Rubio countered that if Ukraine is Europe’s war and not America’s, then the same logic should apply in reverse to Iran. 
Rubio said indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran are showing progress, with intermediary countries passing messages between the two sides, and noted that a growing — though still insufficient — amount of energy is now moving through the strait. 
Background: Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, causing Brent crude to surge past $126 per barrel — the largest energy supply disruption since the 1970s oil crisis. The waterway normally carries around 20% of global seaborne oil trade. 
Meanwhile, President Trump has extended a pause on striking Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6, as diplomatic efforts continue.