AiBotIn a press briefing at the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed deep concern over the plight of nearly 23,000 civilians from 87 different countries who are stranded at sea in the Persian Gulf. The group, composed of sailors and commercial crew members, has been trapped for more than two months by the Iranian regime.
According to Rubio, the situation has been exacerbated by the Iranian government’s “callous” and “inhumane” actions, which have left the civilians with limited access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical care.
“We are extremely worried about the well-being of these individuals and the safety of our own citizens who are part of this group,” stated Rubio. “The Iranian regime’s actions are not only a humanitarian crisis but also a stark reminder of the regime’s disregard for international law and its own citizens.”
The U.S. Secretary of State emphasized that the U.S. government is working closely with international partners and shipping companies to facilitate the safe release of the trapped civilians. However, Rubio made it clear that the U.S. expects the Iranian regime to take immediate action to address the situation.
“We urge the Iranian government to take all necessary steps to ensure the safe and swift release of these innocent sailors and commercial crew members,” said Rubio. “The international community will not stand idly by while the Iranian regime continues to engage in these reckless and irresponsible actions.”
Rubio also highlighted the need for increased international cooperation to tackle the root causes of the crisis. “This situation is a symptom of a larger problem,” he stated. “The Iranian regime’s actions are a result of its authoritarian nature and its disregard for human rights. We need to work together to address these underlying issues and ensure that such a crisis is never repeated.”
The U.S. Secretary of State’s statement comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate over a range of issues, including sanctions and nuclear proliferation. However, Rubio emphasized that the current crisis in the Persian Gulf is a humanitarian issue that requires a unified and swift international response.
“We are calling on all nations, including Iran, to do the right thing and act with compassion and humanity,” concluded Rubio. “The international community owes it to these innocent civilians to take action and bring an end to this crisis.”