Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Rubio Warns Nuclear-Armed Iran Could Control Strait of Hormuz
Marco Rubio warned that Iran would be much harder to stop if it had nuclear weapons.
He said Iran might then control ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is an important route for oil and natural gas.
Rubio also said Iran uses its money to support activities the United States considers dangerous.
Donald Trump denied a report saying he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen money.
Trump called that report a hoax.
Iran says it wants a ceasefire and other changes before ending its shipping restrictions.
Fighting has become less intense, but Iran has continued targeting some commercial vessels near the strait.
Marco Rubio warned that a nuclear-armed Iran could control the Strait of Hormuz, charge tolls, and determine access to energy supplies.
Rubio accused Tehran of using its financial resources for activities Washington considers destabilizing.
Donald Trump denied an Axios report that his administration offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds.
Iran has demanded a seven-day regional ceasefire, the release of frozen assets, an end to oil sanctions, and termination of the U.S. naval blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the war.
- Who
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump, Iranian officials, and Qatari mediators are central to the report.
- What
- Rubio warned that a nuclear-armed Iran could control the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump denied offering Iran sanctions relief or access to frozen funds.
- When
- The remarks and report were published on September 29, 2026; the article says talks had also taken place the previous week.
- Where
- The developments concern the Strait of Hormuz and broader U.S.-Iran tensions; the report is datelined Washington, D.C.
- Why
- Rubio said nuclear weapons could allow Iran to threaten neighbors, control the waterway, and influence energy access; Iran has linked ending its restrictions to a ceasefire and other demands.
U.S. Position
Iranian Position
Nuclear capability and the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Position
Rubio argued that a nuclear-armed Iran could threaten neighboring countries and the wider world, control the strait, impose tolls, and determine access to energy.
Iranian Position
Iran’s stated demands focus on ending the conflict, including a regional ceasefire, lifting oil sanctions, unfreezing assets, and ending the U.S. naval blockade.
Financial resources and sanctions
U.S. Position
Rubio accused Tehran of using every dollar it receives for activities Washington considers malign or destabilizing.
Iranian Position
Iran has sought the release of frozen assets and removal of sanctions on its oil industry as conditions connected to ending its blockade.
Reported U.S. offer
U.S. Position
Trump denied the Axios report that his administration offered sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian funds in exchange for nuclear commitments.
Iranian Position
Axios, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that Trump was prepared to offer those measures for concrete commitments from Tehran concerning its nuclear program.
- Main U.S. warning
- Rubio said a nuclear-armed Iran could control the Strait of Hormuz, charge tolls, and decide who receives energy.
- Trump’s response
- Trump said he offered Iran nothing and called the Axios report about sanctions relief and frozen funds a hoax.
- Strait’s importance
- Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
- Iranian demands
- Iran called for a seven-day Middle East ceasefire, the unfreezing of foreign-held assets, an end to oil sanctions, and termination of the U.S. naval blockade.
- Shipping restrictions
- Tehran imposed restrictions on shipping through the strait after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.
- Continuing violence
- Although direct fighting had eased and the United States had not struck Iran since September 1, Iran continued targeting commercial vessels near the strait.
- Diplomatic contact
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was expected to meet Qatari mediators in New York, while Iran said no further direct talks with Washington were scheduled.