Washington: In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed the United States' position on the ongoing regional conflict, emphasizing that while diplomacy remains the preferred path, specific security milestones must be met. Rubio confirmed that limited communication is currently taking place through intermediaries to explore common ground.

The Secretary of State identified three non-negotiable demands for the Iranian regime: a total permanent halt to nuclear weapons ambitions, an end to the sponsorship of terrorism, and the cessation of missile and drone development. Rubio highlighted that Iran’s current arsenal of short-range weapons poses a direct threat to neighboring Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Addressing the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio rejected Iran’s claims of sovereignty over the waterway. He stated that the international community cannot allow a precedent where a single nation seizes control of an international transit route. Rubio affirmed that the U.S., alongside a global coalition, is committed to ensuring the Strait remains open to commercial traffic, through diplomacy or otherwise.

Rubio concluded by noting that the U.S. would welcome a future where Iran’s resources are reinvested into its own economy and infrastructure rather than military expansion. He maintained that until demonstrable steps are taken to end enrichment and weapon delivery systems, the U.S. and its partners will continue to mitigate the risks posed to regional stability.

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