US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a press conference at the White House.
Rubio stated that US President Donald Trump launched the operation called Freedom Project to rescue 23 thousand civilians from 87 different countries stranded in the Persian Gulf over the weekend. “Countries from all over the world, most of which are not involved in the conflict, are now at risk of losing not only their cargo on the ships but also their citizens. You cannot leave these ships at sea for such a long time. Food runs out, drinking water runs out, basic needs run out. This is pure piracy.” he said.
US President Trump: We briefly stopped the Freedom Project
“AT LEAST 10 SAILORS LOST THEIR LIVES”
Rubio, “They are now defenseless targets, they are isolated, they are starving, they are helpless. At least 10 civilian sailors have lost their lives. That is why many countries, some publicly, some privately, have asked the United States to save their ships and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” he said.
Rubio said that US President Trump instructed the army to rescue the stranded ships and remove them from the region by placing them under a protective security umbrella. “This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation. The meaning of this is very simple. We do not shoot without being hit. We do not attack. But if we or a ship is attacked, we will respond.” he said.
Rubio stated that the Strait of Hormuz constitutes a route for a quarter of the world’s oil trade, and that a large amount of fuel and fertilizer passes through this strait. “The Iranian regime cannot be allowed to decide who will use this vital waterway. International law is very clear. This is an international waterway. It cannot be controlled by any country. No one has the right to say, ‘I will lay mines in these waters and blow up the passing ships’. Iran is doing exactly this. This is a crime and something must be done against it.” he said.
German Chancellor Merz: Iran should come to the negotiation table
“THE EPIC OPERATION ANGER HAS ENDED”
Rubio said that the United States has frustrated efforts to create a conventional shield for Iran’s nuclear program. “Their plan was to set up a conventional shield consisting of thousands of missiles, drones and rockets. Thus, they would ensure that no one could attack them. Behind this shield, they wanted to advance their nuclear program as they wished. But that shield is no longer there.” he said.
Rubio said that this was the purpose of the operation from the very beginning. “Operation Epic Fury” Stating that (Operation Epic Rage) is over, “We finished that stage” he said.
Rubio, “We are now at the Freedom Project stage. But negotiations should not only address enrichment, but also what will happen to the nuclear material hidden deeper. This issue will definitely be resolved.” he said.
SANCTION WARNING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN
Rubio announced that those who enable Iran to evade sanctions will face secondary sanctions and lose access to the US financial system.
In his statement, Rubio stated that the US Treasury Department detects every dollar going to the Iranian administration and prevents it. “Any foreign financial institution that helps Iran evade sanctions will face secondary sanctions and lose access to the U.S. financial system.” he said.
“WE PREFER TO RETURN TO THE PRE-WAR SITUATION ON THE STRAIT OF HORmuz”
US Secretary of State Rubio, “We prefer to return to the pre-war situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz. There should be no mines in the water. No one should pay tolls. This is where we need to go back and this is the goal here.” he said.
HE CALLED IRAN TO RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATION TABLE AND ACCEPT THE TERMS
US Secretary of State Rubio stated that Iran should return to the negotiation table and accept the terms.
Saying that it is time for Iran to make a choice, Rubio said: “Iran must accept the reality of this situation, return to the negotiating table and accept terms that are good for them but ultimately good for the world.” he said.
“IRAN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DEAL THAT WILL REALLY SHOW THAT IT DOES NOT WANT NUCLEAR WEAPONS”
Asked at the press conference whether there was any sign that Iran was ready to give up its nuclear program, Rubio said: “This has been a long-standing problem for them.” He replied with:
Rubio said that Iran has always said that it does not want nuclear weapons, but this is not true. “We know they have 60 percent enriched uranium. They did that. It has no civilian use. Zero. So there’s an opportunity here for Iran to make a deal that will really show that it doesn’t want nuclear weapons. “We don’t want nuclear weapons.” “It’s one thing to say it, it’s another thing to do the things that prove it.” he said.
Rubio stated that the US’s preference is for a diplomatic solution, “I hope we get good news about this.” he said.
HE SAID THAT THEY WILL WORK FOR A PERMANENT CEASE CEASE BETWEEN LEBANON AND ISRAEL
Rubio responded to a question regarding the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel: “There is no direct problem between the Lebanese government and the Israeli government. Israel does not claim rights on Lebanese land. A peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel is possible and should be. The problem is not Israel and Lebanon. The problem is Hezbollah.” he said.
Rubio stated that they aim to bring the Lebanese and Israeli governments to the table under American mediation, “But for this, the Lebanese state must have not only the will, but also the capacity. The capacity to confront Hezbollah and disarm it.” he said.
Rubio said that Tehran was the cause of all the problems in the Middle East. “Hezbollah is an extension of Iran’s strategy to destabilize the region” he said. Rubio announced that they will ensure that Lebanon and Israel continue to talk to each other and try to make progress towards a permanent ceasefire.
He said fuel prices remain low compared to the levels they would rise to if Iran had nuclear weapons
The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the USA is 4.5 dollars, and when asked how long the American people will have to endure this, Rubio said: “If Iran had nuclear weapons and closed the strait and increased gasoline prices to 8-9 dollars, we could not do anything against it. Because they would have nuclear weapons. They could do whatever they wanted in the Strait and no one could stop it.” He replied:
“INFLATION IN IRAN IS AT THE LEVEL OF 70 PERCENT”
Stating that two US-flagged commercial ships have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz so far, Rubio said that while the Freedom Project is progressing, Operation Economic Rage against the Iranian economy continues.
Rubio, “Today, inflation in Iran is at 70 percent and the currency is literally in free fall.” he said.
The US Secretary of State said that Iran is losing $500 million a day due to the blockade imposed by the US and 90 percent of Iran’s trade has been stopped.
UN ANNOUNCED THAT THE DRAFT WILL BE RE-SUBMITTED WITH MINOR CHANGES
Rubio announced that the USA will re-submit the UN draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, which was previously vetoed by Russia and China, by making some minor changes in the text. “I think this will be a real test for the UN as a functioning institution that can solve global problems.” he said.
Rubio stated that they want Iran to be condemned for illegally closing the Strait of Hormuz, blowing up merchant ships and laying mines in the water. “All we want is for them to condemn this. We demand that Iran be called on to stop blowing up the ships, clear the mines and allow the passage of humanitarian aid. That’s all. This is a very modest demand.” he said.
“THE STRAIT OF HORmuz DOES NOT BELONG TO IRAN”
Rubio said Iran blocked an international waterway. “The Strait of Hormuz does not belong to Iran, Iran has no right to close the strait. This situation cannot be normalized.” he said.
US Secretary of State, “The whole world should join us on this. This should not be just our job. We hope to involve countries in this. We will give them the opportunity to do something at the UN.” he said.
“THE PRESIDENT’S PREFERRED WAY IS AGREEMENT”
In the event of a resumption of hostilities, the operation will no longer be “Freedom Project” When asked whether it will be called “Rubia”, Rubio said: “The epic Operation Rage has been completed and the goals have been achieved. We are not cheering for an additional situation to arise. We prefer the path of peace. The path preferred by the President is an agreement.” he said.
Rubio, “Our message is that Iran is facing a major catastrophe for its economy, a destruction that will last for generations. A destruction that will damage the wealth of this country for generations and that they have imposed on themselves through their own actions. They need to get their act together before they destroy themselves.” he said.
