Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Rubio Says Hormuz Oil Flows Are Back to Prewar Levels
Marco Rubio, a senior US official, spoke in Athens about Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Iran no longer had complete control of the important sea route.
Rubio also said oil shipments through it had returned to their earlier levels.
The article says commercial ships are still being attacked there.
Rubio said the United States can help provide security in the Middle East.
He said Greece could work with the United States in the strait if needed.
Vice President JD Vance said Iran would need to reduce its ability to enrich nuclear material to reach an agreement.
US officials said they want to make sure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.
The article does not include Iran’s response to these statements.
Rubio said oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz were back to pre-closure levels.
He said Iran had lost complete control of the waterway, while the article reported continuing attacks on commercial vessels.
Rubio said the United States had the military ability to provide security in the Middle East.
He said Greece would cooperate with the United States in the strait if necessary.
Vance said Iran must meaningfully reduce its nuclear enrichment capacity to meet US demands.
- Who
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance made statements about Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations.
- What
- Rubio said oil transit through the strait had returned to pre-closure levels and Iran had lost complete control; Vance said Iran must meaningfully reduce its enrichment capacity.
- When
- Rubio spoke on Wednesday; Vance spoke after a campaign trip in Alaska. The article describes the conflict as a seven-month war.
- Where
- Rubio spoke in Athens, Greece; Vance spoke after a trip in Alaska.
- Why
- US officials said the demands are intended to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and to address security in the region.
US officials’ assessment
Reported security concerns
Control and security in the Strait of Hormuz
US officials’ assessment
Marco Rubio said Iran had lost complete control of the strait and that oil shipments had returned to pre-closure levels.
Reported security concerns
The article reports that commercial vessels continue to be attacked in the waterway by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Conditions for a nuclear agreement
US officials’ assessment
Rubio and JD Vance said Iran must be prevented from obtaining a nuclear weapon; Vance said a meaningful reduction in enrichment capacity was needed.
Reported security concerns
The article does not include a response from Iran to the US demands.
- Rubio’s location
- Athens, Greece
- Oil transit
- Rubio said volumes through the Strait of Hormuz were back to pre-closure levels.
- US nuclear demand
- Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon.
- Vance’s stated threshold
- A meaningful reduction in Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity.
- Iranian enrichment cited by Vance
- 60% enriched fuel
- Sanctions
- Rubio said US sanctions were crippling Iran’s economy.
- Greek cooperation
- Rubio said Greece would cooperate with the US in the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.