U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) said Friday that Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon during a NATO summit in Brussels [1].
This stance signals a hardline approach to Iranian proliferation and maritime security, emphasizing the need for collective deterrence to prevent regional destabilization.
Speaking on May 22, 2026 [1], Rubio said that a nuclear-armed Iran would threaten global security and destabilize the Middle East [1, 2]. He called on NATO allies to prepare a contingency "plan B" to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open if Tehran attempts to use a nuclear threat against the international community [2].
"Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," Rubio said [1].
The senator said that the primary objective is to ensure Iran does not rebuild a nuclear weapons capability in the years to come [3]. This focus on long-term prevention coincides with his call for immediate strategic planning regarding one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints [2].
"We must have a plan B to keep the Strait of Hormuz open if Tehran tries to use a nuclear threat against us," Rubio said [2].
Rubio's remarks in Belgium highlight a strategy of combining strict non-proliferation goals with military and diplomatic readiness. By urging NATO allies to coordinate on a backup plan for the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio is linking the nuclear issue directly to the stability of global energy markets, and maritime law [1, 2].
“Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Rubio's insistence on a 'plan B' for the Strait of Hormuz suggests that the U.S. is preparing for a scenario where Iran uses nuclear leverage to disrupt global trade. By bringing this to a NATO summit, the U.S. is attempting to internationalize the security of the Persian Gulf, moving beyond a bilateral or regional approach to ensure that the economic cost of Iranian aggression is shared and countered by a broader alliance.
