Rubio claims Strait of Hormuz oil flows near pre-war levels on some nights

Rubio claims Strait of Hormuz oil flows near pre-war levels on some nights

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered to more than four-fifths of their pre-war volume on some nights. He attributed the remaining shortfall to Iranian exports.

“Oil is getting out – on some nights it’s 80-85 percent of what was getting out pre-conflict.

“The only reason why it isn’t 100 percent is because Iranian oil isn’t getting out.

“The only oil that isn’t getting out consistently through the strait of Hormuz is the Iranian oil,” he told reporters at a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Paris.

Rubio said Washington would step up economic pressure on Tehran. “I have been told the economic campaign [against Iran] is working so well there’s no need for major combat operations”, he said.

“The economic pressure on Iran is going to get even worse,” he added.

Rubio said Washington was “open to diplomacy” to end the war, but told reporters that “the Iranian demands are totally unrealistic. We expect that could change – and if it does, we’re prepared for diplomacy.”

He said Washington could forgo further strikes “if we’re achieving the same objectives through economic means”.