Donald Trump, Marco Rubio escalate warnings to Iran over nuclear programme

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 Tehranrsquos nuclear programme and growing tensions in the Gulf region reported IANSThe remarks came as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue over Iranrsquos 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 IndiaRubio warns against any restrictions in Strait of HormuzSpeaking 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 IANSldquoWersquove always said a tolling system in the strait would be unacceptablerdquo Rubio said stressing that such a move would disrupt international trade and escalate tensions further reported IANSHe said the United States was supporting a United Nations Security Council resolution sponsored by Bahrain opposing any attempt to introduce tolls in the waterwayAccording to Rubio the resolution has received broad international backing He also noted that China was against the proposalldquoNo one in the world is in favour of a tolling system It canrsquot happen it would be unacceptablerdquo Rubio said adding that such actions could undermine ongoing diplomatic negotiations with TehranTrump says US will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weaponsLater 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 IANSldquoWe cannot let Iran have a nuclear weaponrdquo Trump said warning that failure to stop Tehran could trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East with global consequences reported IANSldquoYou will have a nuclear war in the Middle East and that war will come here that war will go to Europerdquo he saidTrump also claimed the United States maintained firm military control in the Gulf region particularly around the Strait of HormuzldquoThere hasnt been a ship thats been able to get through without our approvalrdquo Trump saidldquoItrsquos like a steel wallrdquoMilitary option still on the table says TrumpThe US President said Washington continued to pursue negotiations with Iran but indicated that military action remained a possibility if diplomacy failed reported IANSldquoWersquore going to either make sure they dont have a nuclear weapon or were going to have to do something very drasticrdquo Trump saidTrump also dismissed the idea that Iran could retain enriched uranium under any future nuclear agreementldquoNo no we get the highly enriched We will get itrdquo he said adding that the material would likely be destroyedRubio echoed the administrationrsquos position saying diplomacy remained the preferred path though he stopped short of expressing confidence that a deal would definitely be reached reported IANSldquoThe Presidentrsquos preference is always a deal His preference is always diplomacyrdquo Rubio saidHowever he added ldquoIrsquom not here to tell you that itrsquos going to happen for surerdquoIndiarsquos energy security part of Rubiorsquos discussionsMarco Rubio also referred to India while discussing the implications of instability in the Gulf region on global energy marketsldquoWe want to sell them as much energy as theyrsquoll buyrdquo Rubio said describing India as ldquoa great allyrdquo and ldquoa great partnerrdquoHe said energy cooperation would feature in his meetings during his India visit along with discussions related to the Quad groupingThe Strait of Hormuz handles nearly onefifth 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 worldwideWith inputs from IANS