U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted on Wednesday that Iran has "lost complete control" of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Athens, Rubio said the strait remains open and that oil flow through the passage is nearly as high as it was before recent tensions escalated in the region.

Rubio emphasized that Iran’s economy is in a state of severe decline, attributing this to the impact of extensive U.S. sanctions. He described Tehran’s economic situation as approaching a level of collapse rarely seen internationally. According to Rubio, revenue generated by the Iranian leadership is largely directed toward supporting proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

The Secretary of State reiterated a firm U.S. stance against Iran’s potential acquisition of nuclear weapons, stating flatly that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon, simple, period, end of story." He underscored that any agreement acceptable to the United States must categorically prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities.

Additionally, Rubio suggested that Iran strives to enhance its conventional military forces to a level that would render it "untouchable," indicating concerns about Tehran’s broader strategic ambitions in the region. The comments come amid ongoing international efforts to address nuclear proliferation risks and regional security challenges linked to Iran.