Rubio appears to defend Trump’s false claim that Pope wants Iran to have a nukeRubio appears to defend Trump’s false claim that Pope wants Iran to have a nuke
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 22:01
US trying to reopen Strait of Hormuz as ‘favour to world’
The US is trying to open the Strait of Hormuz as a “favour to the world”, Marco Rubio has stated.
He said that the ships stranded in the Gulf were holding essential goods for people in other countries.
“It’s their ships that are stranded, not ours,” he added.
“We’re the only ones that can project power in that part of the world”.
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 21:43
Cargo vessel struck by projectile at Strait of Hormuz, British marine authority says
A cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile within the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday.
The British marine authority said the environmental impact from the incident was unknown.
A statement said: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz.
“A verified source reported a cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile. Environmental impact is unknown at time of report.
“Vessels are advised to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, whilst authorities investigate.”
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 21:21
Rubio says Israel-Lebanon peace deal is achievable but Hezbollah is a problem
Marco Rubio has said a peace deal between Israel and Lebanon was achievable, but that Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was a problem.
The US secretary of state said “what everybody wants to see is you have a Lebanese government with the capability to go after Hezbollah and take the Hezbollah part.”
Israel and Hezbollah group have continued to trade blows despite a ceasefire that has been in place since 17 April.
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 21:17
Rubio says adjustments made to UN Hormuz resolution in bid to avoid veto
Marco Rubio said the US had made some adjustments to a draft UN resolution on the Strait of Hormuz to try and avoid vetoes by China and Russia.
The resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it doesn’t halt attacks on ships in Hormuz, stop imposing “illegal tolls,” and disclose the placement of all mines to allow freedom of navigation.
It also demands that Iran “immediately participate in and enable” United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the strait to enable the delivery of vital aid, fertiliser and other goods.
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 21:04
‘Insane in the brain’: Marco Rubio quotes Cypress Hill hip-hop classic to describe Iran leaders
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 20:48
‘Iran is holding the whole world hostage in Hormuz’
Marco Rubio has said Iran is “holding the whole world hostage” in the Strait of Hormuz, as he warned that the country could do “whatever they wanted” if they had a nuclear weapon.
“Sailors on commercial ships who are gonna stave to death out there — they don’t care. … What do you think they’d do with a nuclear weapon?
“A nuclear-armed Iran could do whatever the hell they wanted with the straits, and there is nothing anyone could do about it.
“If Iran had a nuclear weapon and they decided to close the strait and make our gas prices like $9 a gallon or $8 a gallon, we wouldn’t be able to do anything about, because they have a nuclear weapon.”
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 20:40
US will respond to Iran with ‘lethal efficiency’
The US will respond to Iran with “lethal efficiency” if shots are fired, the secretary of state had stated.
Mr Rubio said: “The US military is deploying the necessary assets to extend this defensive umbrella over commercial shipping.
“As I said already, this is a defensive operation. I want to reiterate that point, this is important to understand.
“If no shots are fired at these ships, no shots are fired at us, we’re not firing shots, but if we’re fired on we will respond, and we will respond with lethal efficiency.”
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 20:32
Rubio: Iran will not get the last say
The US “holds all the cards” and Iran will not get “the last say”, Marco Rubio has said.
Speaking from the White House, the secretary of state told reporters: “The United States of America holds all the cards. There is no scenario here in which, if they decide to join a ladder of escalation, they wind up getting the last say.
“The time has come for Iran to make a sensible choice,” he said, adding: “They’re insane in the brain.
“We have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear about the topics that they are willing to negotiate on and the extent and the concessions are willing to make at the front end in order to make those talks worthwhile.”
(Getty)
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 20:27
‘Iranian mines in Hormuz breaching international law’
Marco Rubio has said international law does not permit laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
“There is no international law that allows you to say, ‘I’m going to put mines in an international body of water and I’m going to blow up ships that don’t listen to us and try to go through.’ That’s what Iran is doing. This is a criminal act, and someone needs to do something about it. Something needs to be done,” he said.
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 20:23