22 May,2026 08:51 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Pic/AFP
US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped up their warnings to Iran on Thursday, combining diplomatic outreach with strong rhetoric over Tehran's nuclear programme and growing tensions in the Gulf region, reported IANS.
The remarks came as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue over Iran's nuclear activities, while concerns persist over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route that is crucial for energy supplies to Asian economies, including India.
Speaking to reporters at Miami Homestead Airport before leaving for India, Rubio criticised reports suggesting Iran could consider imposing tolls or restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, reported IANS.
"We've always said a tolling system in the strait would be unacceptable," Rubio said, stressing that such a move would disrupt international trade and escalate tensions further, reported IANS.
He said the United States was supporting a United Nations Security Council resolution sponsored by Bahrain opposing any attempt to introduce tolls in the waterway.
According to Rubio, the resolution has received broad international backing. He also noted that China was against the proposal.
"No one in the world is in favour of a tolling system. It can't happen; it would be unacceptable," Rubio said, adding that such actions could undermine ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Tehran.
Later in the day, Trump made a series of strong remarks at the White House, reiterating that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a top foreign policy objective for his administration, reported IANS.
"We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, warning that failure to stop Tehran could trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East with global consequences, reported IANS.
"You will have a nuclear war in the Middle East, and that war will come here, that war will go to Europe," he said.
Trump also claimed the United States maintained firm military control in the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
"There hasn't been a ship that's been able to get through without our approval," Trump said.
"It's like a steel wall."
The US President said Washington continued to pursue negotiations with Iran but indicated that military action remained a possibility if diplomacy failed, reported IANS.
"We're going to either make sure they don't have a nuclear weapon or we're going to have to do something very drastic," Trump said.
Trump also dismissed the idea that Iran could retain enriched uranium under any future nuclear agreement.
"No, no we get the highly enriched. We will get it," he said, adding that the material would likely be destroyed.
Rubio echoed the administration's position, saying diplomacy remained the preferred path, though he stopped short of expressing confidence that a deal would definitely be reached, reported IANS.
"The President's preference is always a deal. His preference is always diplomacy," Rubio said.
However, he added: "I'm not here to tell you that it's going to happen for sure."
Marco Rubio also referred to India while discussing the implications of instability in the Gulf region on global energy markets.
"We want to sell them as much energy as they'll buy," Rubio said, describing India as "a great ally" and "a great partner."
He said energy cooperation would feature in his meetings during his India visit, along with discussions related to the Quad grouping.
The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments and remains strategically important for countries dependent on crude imports from the Gulf. Any disruption in the region could affect international shipping routes, oil prices and energy security worldwide.
(With inputs from IANS)
