US warns against Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz as attacks continue
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous global precedent as US attacks on Iran enter an 11th night, heightening regional security and energy concerns.
The United States signalled on July 22, 2026 that it remains open to negotiations with Tehran but accused Iran of not engaging in serious talks, after a series of US strikes on Iranian territory entered an eleventh consecutive night. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at the ASEAN summit in Manila, framed the dispute around control of the Strait of Hormuz and the principle of freedom of navigation. Explosions were reported across parts of Iran during the latest strikes, and Tehran has warned of retaliation if its nuclear sites are attacked.
Rubio says US is willing to negotiate but doubts Tehran’s seriousness
Marco Rubio told regional leaders that Washington is prepared to engage in “positive and constructive” negotiations if commitments are honoured, but he said Iran has not demonstrated the necessary seriousness for talks. He spoke at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Manila on July 22, 2026, emphasising that dialogue is preferable to further escalation. Rubio added that if Iran refuses meaningful engagement, the United States will take the steps required to defend its interests and those of its allies.
Eleventh night of strikes leaves civilians reported dead and wounded
US military operations targeting Iranian sites continued into a second week, with explosions heard in several locations across the country on the eleventh night of action. Iranian health officials reported that at least 50 people had been killed and some 500 wounded in the strikes, according to a health ministry statement cited by authorities. The toll and the ongoing pattern of attacks have intensified international concern about both immediate humanitarian impacts and wider regional stability.
Warning over the Strait of Hormuz precedent and freedom of navigation
Rubio warned that permitting a single state to exert de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments — would create “a very dangerous precedent.” He argued that no legal mechanism grants Iran the authority to demand tolls or to interdict commercial traffic, and that such actions would undermine the long-standing principle of freedom of navigation. The secretary of state framed the dispute as not only a bilateral security problem but a broader challenge to the rules governing international waterways.
ASEAN engagement framed as strategic US interest
In Manila, Rubio linked the crisis to wider US engagement in Southeast Asia, telling delegates that the security and prosperity of the United States and the ASEAN states are closely intertwined. He said the trajectory of the 21st century will be shaped in and by the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring Washington’s interest in a stable maritime environment. The remarks aimed to reassure regional partners that the US views their security as connected to developments in the Middle East and to reassure them about continued attention to supply-chain and navigational risks.
Retaliation threats and renewed warnings over Natanz facility
Tensions have been heightened by direct threats from both capitals. On July 21, 2026, US President Donald Trump renewed a warning that Washington could strike Iran’s Natanz nuclear site “pretty soon,” a remark that Tehran said it would treat as an escalation. Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command responded that such an attack would be considered an expansion of war and could trigger strikes against “all the interests of America, its allies and supporters.” Those mutual threats have contributed to fears of broader military spillover across the region.
Implications for energy shipping, insurance and markets
The ongoing attacks and the prospect of restricted or contested passage through the Strait of Hormuz are heightening concerns across global energy markets. The strait transits a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil and gas exports, and any sustained disruption could push freight costs, insurance premiums and commodity prices higher. Regional states and international shipping operators are watching closely for signs of alternative routing or convoy operations, while markets weigh the likelihood of sustained supply shocks against the prospect of diplomatic de-escalation.
The conflict’s trajectory will depend in large measure on Tehran’s response to US military pressure and on whether diplomatic channels can be reopened in a manner that both sides view as credible. For now, regional governments face the dual challenge of protecting sea lanes and preparing for the economic ripple effects of protracted instability.
