US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran had “lost complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that oil flows through the strategically important waterway had recovered to levels close to those recorded before the conflict began. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Athens, Rubio said the strait remained open and argued that Tehran was no longer able to exercise the level of control over maritime traffic that it had sought during the conflict. His comments came as the United States continued to apply pressure on Iran over its military capabilities, nuclear programme and regional activities. Rubio also described the Iranian economy as being in “total and complete freefall”, attributing the situation largely to US sanctions.

“The Straits of Hormuz are open. There’s almost as much oil flowing out now as there was before this conflict began. So they’ve lost complete control of the Straits,” Rubio said. His assessment places the waterway at the centre of Washington’s account of the conflict and its economic consequences. The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to international markets, making its security important for energy supplies and global trade. Any significant disruption can affect shipping activity and energy prices, while sustained access allows producers to continue moving supplies to overseas markets. Rubio did not provide detailed figures for current oil flows during his remarks, but said the level was now close to that seen before the conflict.

Rubio also linked Iran’s position in the waterway to the broader impact of US economic sanctions. He argued that the “crippling” sanctions had pushed the Iranian economy towards a situation that few countries in the world had experienced. He described Tehran’s economy as being in “total and complete freefall”, presenting the sanctions as a key component of the US strategy to constrain Iran’s ability to finance its military and regional activities. The United States has imposed extensive sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, energy sector, financial activities and support for regional armed groups. Iran has consistently rejected Washington’s pressure campaign and criticised sanctions as harmful to its economy and population.

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The US secretary of state also accused Iran’s leadership of directing financial resources towards Hezbollah and Hamas. Rubio said every dollar received by what he described as Iran’s “radical Shia clerics” was spent on the two groups. The remarks reflect Washington’s long-standing criticism of Tehran’s regional policies and its relationships with armed organisations across the Middle East. Iran has maintained political, financial and military relationships with several regional groups, while the United States has accused Tehran of using such networks to expand its influence and challenge American and Israeli interests. Iran, however, has defended its regional partnerships as part of its security strategy and has rejected US accusations concerning its activities.

Iran’s nuclear programme was another central issue in Rubio’s remarks. He said Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon” and insisted that any agreement acceptable to the United States must ensure that Tehran would never acquire one. The dispute over Iran’s nuclear capabilities has remained a major source of tension between Tehran and Western governments. Iran has maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes, while the United States has repeatedly demanded assurances that Tehran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Rubio’s comments indicate that Washington’s position remains focused on preventing Iran from acquiring such a capability, regardless of any broader negotiations or arrangements that could emerge.

Rubio also argued that Iran had been seeking to build a conventional military capability so large that the country would become “untouchable”. His remarks expanded the US concerns beyond the nuclear programme to Iran’s broader military development. Tehran’s missile, drone and naval capabilities have been major areas of concern for Washington and its regional partners, particularly amid continuing tensions across the Middle East. Iran has maintained that its military capabilities are intended to deter threats and defend its territory. Rubio’s comments suggest that the United States sees Iran’s conventional military strength, along with its nuclear ambitions and regional relationships, as interconnected elements of the wider security challenge.

The remarks in Athens underline the range of issues shaping the US approach towards Iran, from access through the Strait of Hormuz and the condition of the Iranian economy to nuclear restrictions and conventional military capabilities. Rubio’s claim that Tehran has lost control of the waterway represents the US administration’s assessment of the current situation, while his comments on sanctions reflect Washington’s view of their economic impact. The Strait of Hormuz remains particularly important to global energy markets, meaning developments affecting its security and the movement of oil through the waterway will continue to be closely watched. Any future shift in the conflict or diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran could therefore have implications for both regional security and international energy supplies.

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