U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz must be opened “one way or the other” [1].
The statement signals a hardline approach to one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, where any prolonged closure could disrupt global energy markets and trigger severe economic instability.
Rubio made the remarks May 25, 2026 [2], while traveling on a flight from Jaipur to New Delhi [1]. The comments came during the final leg of a four-day visit to India [1].
During the flight, Rubio addressed the current status of the waterway, which serves as a primary artery for oil exports from the Gulf. He said the existing restrictions were “unacceptable and illegal” [1].
“The Strait of Hormuz will be open ‘one way or the other,’” Rubio said [1]. He said the shipping lane must remain open to ensure the flow of global trade [2].
Rubio did not specify the exact mechanisms he intended to use to ensure the waterway remains open, but his phrasing suggests a willingness to consider various pressures to remove the restrictions [1].
The senator's comments highlight the strategic importance of the region to U.S. interests, particularly regarding the stability of oil prices and the freedom of navigation in international waters [2].
“The Strait of Hormuz will be open ‘one way or the other.’”
The insistence that a strategic waterway remain open 'one way or the other' typically indicates that the U.S. may be weighing options beyond diplomatic negotiation, including economic sanctions or military deterrence. By framing the current restrictions as 'illegal,' the U.S. is establishing a legal and moral justification for potential intervention to protect global energy security.
