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Rubio Urges Europe to Take Action Against Iran During Visit to Italy and Vatican
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed European allies to move beyond statements and impose concrete measures on Iran during meetings in Rome. He warned that Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz set a dangerous precedent and stated the U.S. had thwarted attacks on three Navy ships there.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European allies on Friday to take concrete action against Iran rather than rely on statements, while working to repair relations with Italy and the Vatican during a two-day visit to Rome. The visit followed weeks of disagreements between Washington and Rome over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, tariffs and President Donald Trump’s criticism of Italian officials and Pope Leo XIV.
Speaking to reporters after meetings with Italian officials, Rubio said Iran was attempting to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. “Everybody says Iran is a threat. Everybody says that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon ... but you’ve got to do something about it,” Rubio told reporters in Rome.
“If the answer is no ... ” Rubio said Iran was trying to normalize control over an international waterway, a precedent he warned could encourage similar actions elsewhere. He added that the United States had thwarted attacks on three Navy ships in the strait and cautioned Tehran against targeting U.S. maritime assets.
“The red line is clear. They threaten Americans, they are going to be blown up,” he said.
Rubio said Washington was pursuing a diplomatic track that included a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at preserving freedom of navigation. He added the U.S. was awaiting Iran’s response on Friday to ongoing diplomatic efforts. Italian officials struck a conciliatory tone after the talks and reaffirmed the importance of the trans-Atlantic alliance.
One official said Europe and Italy need the United States and that the United States also needs Europe and Italy. The official added that discussions covered the Iran conflict and its spillover into Lebanon, as well as Venezuela and Cuba. Differences remain over the Iran conflict.
