U.S. Secretary of State: "Iran Has Completely Lost Control of the Strait of Hormuz"

"Volume of oil shipped is almost back to pre-conflict levels"
"Iran's economy is in complete free fall... Iran cannot have nuclear weapons"

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that Iran had lost control of the Strait of Hormuz. He continued to pressure Iran, saying that the volume of oil shipped through the strait had nearly returned to pre-conflict levels.

On October 7 (local time), Rubio told reporters in Athens, Greece, that "Iran has completely lost control of the Strait of Hormuz," according to AFP and other foreign media outlets.

"The Strait of Hormuz is open, and the volume of oil being shipped through it is almost the same as it was before the conflict began," Rubio said. He also claimed that "Iran's economy is in a state of complete free fall" and that "U.S. sanctions are dealing a significant blow to Iran's economy."

He reaffirmed his hard-line stance on Iran's nuclear program. "Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," Rubio said, warning that "if sanctions continue, Iran's economy will face a level of hardship experienced by only a very small number of countries."

Rubio denied a claim that the United States had asked a third country to prevent Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from returning home, saying, "The premise of the question is not true."

Rubio met with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis that day and announced a new counterterrorism intelligence-sharing framework between the two countries' law enforcement agencies.

Referring to the volatile situations in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, he stressed the importance of cooperation with Greece. Gerapetritis also said Greece was willing to work with the United States on maritime support in the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.

Meanwhile, about 2,000 people protested in central Athens that day against Rubio's visit. After visiting Greece following Iceland, Rubio is set to conclude his European tour in Lisbon, Portugal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.