Marco Rubio says Iran's "missiles and drones at ships" attacks drive US response in Strait standoff
“to send signals that they want to talk, that they want to negotiate, but their behavior is what we’re responding to. And their behavior is they’re launching missiles and drones at ships”
The United States and Iran are locked in escalating daily clashes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, after a temporary ceasefire collapsed. The Trump administration’s intensified airstrikes have failed to force Tehran to yield, while American troop deaths have increased and U.S. gasoline prices have risen, creating political pressure ahead of midterm elections. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington remains willing to engage in talks, but he characterized Iran’s continued missile and drone attacks on vessels in the strait as the behavior driving the U.S. response. The standoff has raised doubts about the effectiveness of relying solely on air power, and analysts warn that both sides appear stuck in a cycle of escalation with no clear path to diplomacy.
- netscape.com ↗︎21 JUL 2026