The United States is pushing for international action at the United Nations over rising tensions with Iran, as concerns grow about safety in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is seeking global condemnation of Iran’s actions, insisting no country should control access to the critical shipping route. The strait handles roughly a quarter of global oil shipments, along with large volumes of fuel and fertiliser.
Tensions have escalated since a joint US-Israel strike on Iran earlier this year, after which Tehran moved to restrict passage through the waterway. In response, President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade, warning that any vessels laying mines would be destroyed.
On Monday, US Central Command reported that Iranian forces launched cruise missiles and drones and deployed small boats near US-linked vessels in the strait, though no ships were hit. Iranian authorities described the actions as “warning shots,” accusing US naval forces of breaching a ceasefire by approaching the area.
The same day, both South Korea and the United Arab Emirates reported attacks on vessels in the region. Iran, however, accused the US of killing five civilians, claiming American forces targeted passenger boats rather than military units.
Speaking to reporters, Rubio strongly criticised Tehran’s actions.
“I don’t know if people appreciate, like, how outrageous this is, how unacceptable it is, that any country would fire and try to sink commercial vessels or put mines in the water. Both of these things are illegal,” he said.
Rubio confirmed the US would formally raise the issue at the UN, urging the international community to take a clear stance.
“All we’re asking them to do is to condemn it, to call on Iran to stop blowing ships, to remove these mines, and to allow humanitarian relief to come through because there’s humanitarian aid that’s trapped. That’s it. This is a very modest request,” he said.
“And if you’re telling me that the international community and hundreds of countries cannot rally behind that, then I don’t know what the utility of the UN system is if it can’t even solve something as straightforward as that.”
Amid the standoff, Iran has proposed reopening the strait and de-escalating tensions if the US lifts its blockade. President Trump confirmed receiving the offer but has not indicated whether Washington will accept it.
Meanwhile, the US has accelerated major arms deals with allies, including Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, according to the State Department.
