ROME, Italy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European countries to play a greater role in addressing the Iran crisis and securing the Strait of Hormuz, during a two-day visit to Rome marked by discussions with Italian leaders and the Vatican.
Speaking after talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rubio warned against Iran’s control over the strategic waterway following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict earlier this year.
“The world has to start asking itself, what is it willing to do if Iran tries to normalise a control of an international waterway? I think that’s unacceptable,” he told reporters.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global shipments of oil, gas and fertiliser. Tehran seized control of the chokepoint after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 triggered a war.
NATO commitments
Rubio’s remarks came amid growing tensions between Washington and some European allies over their reluctance to become directly involved in the conflict.
US President Donald Trump has recently threatened to withdraw American troops from Italy and Spain and questioned the value of NATO commitments.
“If one of the main reasons why the US is in NATO is the ability to have forces deployed in Europe that we could project to other contingencies, and now that’s no longer the case, at least when it comes to some NATO members, that’s a problem, and it has to be examined,” Rubio said.
Rubio also met Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials, describing the talks as “very good”. According to the Vatican, both sides discussed “the need to work tirelessly for peace” and exchanged views on Iran, humanitarian aid and religious freedom.
