“Strait Has To Be Open”: Marco Rubio After Fresh US Strikes Near Bandar Abbas

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran over the West Asia conflict remain on track, even after fresh US strikes near Bandar Abbas. Rubio warned that finalising the “negotiating language” of any agreement with Tehran could “take a few days”.

US strikes on Iran and Strait of Hormuz tensions

US Central Command confirmed that American forces hit missile launch locations in southern Iran and targeted boats “trying to lay mines” on 25 May. The action risked straining a ceasefire that had broadly limited violence in the region since 8 April.

Explaining the United States position, Rubio stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for shipping. Referring to the latest strikes, Rubio said the waterway could not be blocked. “The straits have to be open. They're going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open. What's happening there is unlawful, it's illegal, it's unsustainable for the world, it's unacceptable,” Rubio told reporters on the aircraft in Jaipur.

Negotiations with Iran and West Asia conflict talks

Rubio noted that discussions with Iran were continuing, despite worries that the new attacks might weaken the delicate truce. Rubio said talks in Qatar on 25 May were still working through details. “There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress. I think it's a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it'll take a few days,” Rubio said.

The latest diplomatic round is taking place in Doha, where senior Iranian negotiators arrived seeking a formula to end months of fighting. That conflict led Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy exports, driving up prices and shaking the world economy.

US strikes on Iran and Strait of Hormuz security

Central Command described the operations as a response to perceived threats from Iranian units. “US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” spokesperson Tim Hawkins said in an official statement released after the attacks.

The same statement did not give precise locations or casualty figures, saying only that the targets included missile positions and boats trying to “emplace mines.” These activities were linked by US officials to attempts to control access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that “several loud explosions” were heard around Bandar Abbas shortly before midnight local time, at about 2030 GMT on 25 May. IRIB said conditions in the port city remained calm and that local officials were examining what caused the blasts.

Rubio spoke to journalists aboard the aircraft at Jaipur International Airport in India on 26 May, repeating that a deal with Tehran still appeared possible. The progress now depends on technical wording, further talks in Qatar, and whether future military action disrupts the fragile ceasefire.