Rubio Says US Operation in Hormuz Strait is Defensive in Nature

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the move to give military support to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz near Iran is a “defensive operation,” saying the US will only fire if fired upon.

“We are only responding if attacked first,” Rubio said at a White House press briefing on Tuesday. “This is a defensive operation.”

“The Iranian regime cannot be allowed to dictate who uses this vital waterway,” he added.

Violence erupted on Monday after President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” which he described as a humanitarian effort to guide neutral ships stranded in the Gulf through ...