Rubio says U.S. never targets civilians, accuses Iran of doing so
The Secretary of State's remarks come as U.S. and Iranian officials negotiate over the Strait of Hormuz and Brent crude holds near $99 a barrel.
Published
Map: The Gulf and Hormuz, marking Strait of Hormuz
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States never targets civilians, though some are caught in the crossfire of war, and said Iran is the country that does target civilians.
It also comes as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has met Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, with Iran setting conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has warned the U.S. may strike Pickaxe Mountain in Iran, saying it may soon be too late to act, while Iran's Revolutionary Guard has said the country will defend itself if that happens. Trump has separately said a conflict with Iran could end after the midterm elections, or possibly sooner.
Brent crude holds near $99 a barrel in after-hours trading, a level reached after Trump called the Iran talks productive. U.S. markets closed for the day at 4pm Eastern, hours before Rubio's remarks.
Rubio's comments are largely neutral to slightly bearish given the current context. With the U.S. and Iran actively negotiating through intermediaries and stated momentum toward a deal on the Strait of Hormuz, his accusation against Iran reads as rhetorical positioning rather than a shift in diplomatic posture. It does not signal escalation beyond what is already priced into markets with Brent near $99.