US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States opposes any country that supports terrorism. He made the remarks during a special interview discussing Washington’s relationship with Pakistan.
During the interview, Rubio addressed the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations with Pakistan, India’s security concerns, Iran’s regional activities, and the protection of international maritime trade routes.
Why Is Maintaining Relations With Pakistan Important?
Speaking about the United States’ relationship with Pakistan, Rubio said, “We oppose any country that promotes terrorism.”
He explained that his responsibilities as Secretary of State differ from those he held as a former senator. Managing American foreign policy requires maintaining relationships with various countries, including nations with which the United States has disagreements.
Rubio pointed out that Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country and that its geographical position makes diplomatic engagement important for Washington.
He also referred to India, noting that the Indian government must maintain relations and hold discussions with leaders of other countries, including Iran.
According to Rubio, managing such diplomatic relationships can be challenging, but it is an essential part of foreign policy. He expressed hope that continued engagement with Pakistan would allow the United States to help discourage activities that concern India.
Reaching an Agreement With Iran Is Difficult, Says Rubio
Rubio also described reaching an agreement with the Iranian government as difficult.
In his view, Iran’s political system is controlled by hard-line Shia clerics whose decisions are influenced by religious ideology. He argued that these factors make negotiations with Tehran particularly challenging.
Rubio also expressed concern about commercial shipping routes and the transportation of oil and other energy resources through strategic waterways. He said the current situation had raised serious concerns when compared with previous levels of maritime traffic and energy transportation.
Concerns Over Attacks on Commercial Ships
Rubio accused Iran of targeting commercial vessels, killing sailors who are not involved in combat, and attempting to sink ships.
He compared these alleged activities with the German submarine warfare tactics used by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, arguing that such incidents had not been seen on a similar scale since that conflict.
According to Rubio, the United States is working every night to protect maritime traffic. He said American forces intercept or destroy many of the drones and missiles directed at ships, although some attacks still reach their targets.
He added that certain attacks have damaged ships’ engine rooms and caused fatalities.
Rubio also said that several Indian sailors had lost their lives in these attacks. Given the large number of Indian nationals working in the maritime sector, he described the situation as a concern for India as well.
US to Maintain Economic Pressure on Iran
Rubio said Iran must stop the attacks and made clear that Washington would continue applying significant economic pressure on Tehran.
He alleged that Iran was not using the money and resources available to it to improve the country’s development or the living standards of its people. Instead, he claimed, those resources were being used to support terrorism and develop missiles and drones that could be deployed against commercial vessels.
These allegations reflect the US administration’s stated concerns about Iran’s regional activities and maritime security.
What Does Rubio’s Statement Mean for India?
Rubio’s remarks highlight the complicated diplomatic balance the United States faces in South Asia and the Middle East.
Washington considers engagement with Pakistan important because of its nuclear capabilities and strategic location, while also acknowledging India’s security concerns. At the same time, the United States has expressed strong opposition to terrorism and voiced concerns about Iran’s activities and threats to international shipping.
The interview therefore touched on several major issues: US-Pakistan relations, India’s national security, Iran’s regional conduct, and the safety of global maritime trade.
The key message: Rubio said the United States opposes countries that support terrorism, while arguing that diplomatic engagement with Pakistan remains necessary for broader strategic reasons.
