U.S. Secretary of State Rubio spoke about Iran today: "They have threatened to permanently control the Strait of Hormuz, establish toll systems, and so on. Such actions will never be allowed to happen. If Trump chooses to prevent this from occurring, he has many options available."
Commentary: At its core, Rubio's remarks treat the Strait of Hormuz as an American-controlled "private waterway," completely disregarding Iran's sovereignty and legitimate security concerns. The Strait of Hormuz is inherently adjacent to Iran's core maritime zones. Iran has long endured extreme U.S. pressure and military strikes. Using the strait as a strategic countermeasure is, for a weaker party, a reluctant choice for self-protection and balancing power—essentially a means of safeguarding national security and securing negotiation leverage, not merely provocative posturing.
However, from the perspective of global energy security and international navigation rules, Iran’s attempt to fully control the strait or impose tolls indeed risks triggering regional panic and navigational instability, and could provide the United States with a direct pretext for military intervention.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861095728140426/
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