Rubio praises Kingdom’s role in opposing Hormuz toll threat

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has highlighted Bahrain’s leading role in international efforts opposing any attempt to impose tolls or restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking on ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran, Rubio said the international community hoped to secure an agreement that would keep the strategic waterway open and ensure freedom of navigation.

He warned, however, that contingency plans would be necessary if Iran refused to reopen the Strait or attempted to control maritime passage.

At the centre of global opposition to such proposals, Rubio said, is a United Nations resolution sponsored by Bahrain rejecting any tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have a resolution right now in the United Nations. It’s sponsored by Bahrain,” Rubio said. “It has the highest number of co-sponsors in the history of the Security Council.”

Rubio added that opposition to the proposal extended across the international community, including major powers such as China.

“No one in the world is in favour of a tolling system,” he said.

He stressed that any attempt to impose tolls or restrictions in the Strait would be “unacceptable”, illegal under international law and damaging to global trade and regional stability.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying a major share of global energy supplies and commercial trade. Bahrain and other Gulf states are among the countries most directly affected by any disruption to navigation through the waterway.