US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of failing to honor the Strait of Hormuz deal, signaling a deepening diplomatic crisis as US Central Command conducts its 11th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian targets.
Rubio’s remarks, delivered on Wednesday, underscore the widening gap between Washington’s expectations and Tehran’s actions, even as the US administration reiterates its commitment to a diplomatic resolution in the Middle East.
The accusation comes amid intensifying military pressure, with the US campaign now extending beyond a week of sustained operations.
Rubio’s warning highlights the fragility of the existing framework governing one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
For markets, the persistence of hostilities and the explicit breach of the transit agreement elevate the risk premium on shipping routes through the Gulf, threatening to disrupt the flow of crude oil and liquefied natural gas to global consumers.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery for global energy trade, and any escalation in tensions or physical disruption to transit could trigger sharp repricing in oil and freight markets.