“Strait Has To Be Open”: Marco Rubio After Fresh US Strikes Near Bandar Abbas
US Central Command confirmed strikes on 25 May targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines near Bandar Abbas, citing self-defense against threats to the Strait of Hormuz. Senator Marco Rubio reiterated that negotiations with Iran in Qatar remain ongoing, emphasizing the Strait must stay open for global shipping, despite tensions escalating after the latest attacks.
US forces conducted self-defense strikes on 25 May in southern Iran, targeting missile launch locations and boats attempting to lay mines near Bandar Abbas, according to US Central Command. The operation followed perceived threats to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. Iranian state media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas around midnight local time, with officials investigating the cause. Senator Marco Rubio, speaking on 26 May at Jaipur International Airport in India, stated that negotiations with Iran over the West Asia conflict remain on track despite the strikes. He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, calling attempts to block it unlawful, illegal, and unsustainable. Rubio noted that talks in Qatar on 25 May focused on finalizing the negotiating language of a potential agreement, a process he said could take several days. The US strikes risk straining a fragile ceasefire that has limited violence in the region since early April. Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha seeking a resolution to months of conflict, which has disrupted global energy exports and destabilized the economy. US officials linked the targeted boats to efforts by Iranian forces to control access through the Strait of Hormuz. Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins confirmed the strikes were in response to threats against US troops, though no precise locations or casualty figures were provided. The operations targeted missile positions and boats attempting to emplace mines, activities US officials tied to broader Iranian efforts to restrict Strait of Hormuz access. Rubio reiterated that a deal with Tehran remains possible, contingent on technical wording and further negotiations. He warned that future military action could disrupt the fragile ceasefire, stressing the need for diplomatic progress. The latest strikes underscore ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over regional security and shipping lanes.
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