Iran cannot be sole beneficiary of illegal, unlawful, unjustified system in Hormuz: Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said in an interview to Fox News that the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is to prevent Iranians from being "the sole beneficiaries of an illegal, unlawful, and unjustified system of tolling and control" in the region.

He reportedly said that it "is not a blockade against shipping" but one "against Iranian shipping".

His remarks come at a time when the Strait of Hormuz -- which normally enables the passage of 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas -- remains effectively blocked for normal commercial shipping, denting global energy supplies and influencing benchmark rates.

Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to most foreign shipping in retaliation for US‑led airstrikes, blocking Gulf‑bound and Gulf‑outbound shipping and severely disrupting passage for tankers and merchant vessels. On the other hand, the US continues its blockade on Iranian ports.

Over the weekend, US President Donald Trump suggested that any negiation talks with Iran will now be held over telephone, cancelling an American delegation's visit to Pakistan for the next round of discussions after an earlier round failed this month.

Meanwhile, Iran has repotedly offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- a crucial maritime region that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea -- in exchange for the US lifting its blockade and ending the war.

The United Nations has called for a reopening of the strait.

Last week, while announcing an extension to a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon by another three weeks, Trump said that a meeting between high ranking representatives of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office "went very well".

He also said that the US "is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah".

"I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. It was a Great Honor to be a participant at this very Historic Meeting!" he wrote on Truth Social.

He also vowed to support Lebanon against Hezbollah. A temporary truce between Israel and Lebanon was originally set to expire on April 26.

The Lebanon-Israel conflict is among the main flashpoints in the broader West Asia crisis, with most experts closely linking it to escalating US-Iran tensions.

On Thursday, Trump said he had ordered the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat that are "putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz". "There is to be no hesitation," he wrote on Truth Social.

He also claimed that Tehran is not sure of who their leader was.

Strait of Hormuz remains at centre of West Asia conflict

Tehran has said earlier that the Strait of Hormuz cannot reopen due to ceasefire violations, accusing the US of naval blockade and Israeli forces of continued aggression in the region, according to foreign media reports.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut since February 28, when joint US-Israel strikes against Tehran killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered Tehran's retaliatory action against several countries in the region.

Tehran first closed the strait on March 2, and then again on April 18 citing a blockade of its ports by the US.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the subject:

Is the blockade hurting global shipping?

Yes. The Strait of Hormuz reportedly remains effectively blocked for normal commercial shipping, disrupting tanker movement and impacting global energy supplies.

Why did Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran shut the region in retaliation for US-led airstrikes. It has blocked both incoming and outgoing Gulf shipping.

What makes the Strait of Hormuz a crucial route for the global energy market?

The strait normally handles around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas flows.

Has Iran shown any willingness to reopen the strait?

Yes.

What is the latest in US-Iran peace talks?

The POTUS has suggested future talks with Iran may happen over the phone. The Iranian side has also reportedly shown interest in engaging in talks.

Is the Lebanon-Israel situation linked to this crisis?

Yes, it is believed to be a major flashpoint within the wider West Asia crisis.