Iran rejected US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remark accusing Tehran of holding the “global energy market hostage”, saying it was US sanctions on Iranian oil exports that had disrupted global energy supplies.
The Iranian embassy in India stated on Sunday, May 24, saying Rubio’s comments were “a clear attempt to distort the realities of the region” and divert attention from its own “destabilising policies”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been prepared to make its energy resources available to all countries, including the Republic of India,” the embassy said.
Rubio had made the remarks during discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he also pitched the US energy exports as a way to diversify India’s energy supplies.
“The Secretary emphasised that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply,” Rubio’s office wrote in a readout after their meeting.
Iran said US sanctions on its oil exports violated international law and the UN Charter and were aimed at exerting economic pressure on the Iranian people.
The embassy also accused the US and Israel of threatening maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz through “military, provocative, and adventurist actions”, adding that the two countries were driving instability and global energy insecurity in the region.
Tehran reiterated that its nuclear programme remained peaceful and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying the agency had not reported any diversion in Iran’s nuclear activities.
Iran further said it would continue to defend its “legitimate and inalienable right” to peaceful nuclear technology under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Iran’s nuclear programme is one of the key bone of contention that has kept the two warring nations from agreeing to a deal to end the war. Trump last night said an agreement is “largely negotiated” after a call with Gulf leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though he said finalsiing with Iran was pending.
The embassy’s strongly-worded statement now says Iran’s armed forces is prepared to respond to any threat against the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Also Read: Trump says Iran deal ‘largely negotiated’ after talks with Gulf leaders, Netanyahu; crude falls 7%
(Edited by : Tenzin Norzom)
First Published: May 24, 2026 12:45 PM IST
