According to a report by Al Jazeera on July 22, 2026, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington has not abandoned diplomatic efforts with Iran despite the ongoing conflict. He stressed that the US continues to support a peaceful resolution while maintaining that certain actions by Tehran cannot be accepted. Rubio said the administration still believes negotiations remain an option if they can help bring an end to the fighting and reduce tensions in the region.
Speaking to reporters, Rubio reaffirmed the US position, saying, “We remain open to diplomacy,” while emphasizing that Iran must not be allowed to dominate the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes and is critical to global energy supplies and international trade.
Rubio accused Iran of attempting to interfere with maritime traffic by asserting authority over vessels using the passage. He warned that such actions threaten commercial shipping and undermine the principle of free navigation through international waters.
He said, “Iran is targeting global shipping and an international waterway and demanding to control which ships can go and which ones cannot. That just is unacceptable. We’re not going to accept that. We’re not going to allow that to be the status quo. But ultimately, there are other countries that should feel just as strongly as we do.”
The secretary urged other nations to recognize the significance of the issue, arguing that maintaining open access to the Strait of Hormuz is a shared international responsibility rather than a concern for the United States alone.
Rubio’s remarks came as tensions in the Middle East remain high, with continued military confrontations and growing concerns over the safety of international shipping….See More