Rubio defends Russia oil waiver, calls Iran’s shipping attacks ‘Nazi U-boat tactics’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s decision to ease the implementation of Russia-related sanctions and said Washington must maintain relations with Pakistan despite New Delhi’s concerns over terrorism. In a Network18 interview, he said sanctions apply to anyone doing business with Russia and that policymakers must weigh consequences for the global economy and partner nations. He accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping using ‘Nazi U-boat tactics,’ said Indian sailors were among those affected, and stated that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained largely unchanged from pre-conflict levels.
Why it matters: The remarks show how sanctions implementation, Pakistan engagement and Strait of Hormuz shipping security intersect in the briefing’s geoeconomics coverage.