Rubio Warns Iran’s Strait Transit Fees Could Trigger Global Domino Effect

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned today that Iran's plan to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other nations to follow suit in international waterways and risking 'total chaos.'

Speaking at a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain, Rubio stated: 'International waterways do not belong to any single nation-state. This is a fundamental principle of the modern world. Without it, the world will descend into total chaos.'

Rubio emphasized that if the international community permits nations to charge fees simply because a waterway is near their territory, the practice would inevitably spread globally. This visit marks Rubio’s first trip to the Gulf region since the memorandum of understanding was signed to end Middle East conflicts. He affirmed that the U.S. seeks a peace agreement but 'not at any price.'

'We want an agreement that is truly effective, verifiable, and enforceable,' Rubio noted. During his tour through the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, he assured regional partners that their interests remain a priority. 'We want to ensure that any arrangement in this agreement does not in any way harm the security, stability, or prosperity of our partners in the Gulf region,' he concluded.