Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded Thursday to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's statement that his country's policy is an "eye for an eye" as the two sides escalate strikes in the region. "The president's policy is a head for an eye," the secretary told reporters at an ASEAN meeting of foreign ministers in Manila, Philippines. "I mean, honestly, that's what it's going to be. I mean, they will pay a very heavy price for the things they're doing." Mr. Araghchi issued the warning Wednesday after President Trump threatened further bombardment of Iran's civilian infrastructure if Tehran continued to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. "Our defense doctrine is clear: eye for
Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded Thursday to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's statement that his country's policy is an "eye for an eye" as the two sides escalate strikes in the region. "The president's policy is a head for an eye," the secretary told reporters at an ASEAN meeting of foreign ministers in Manila, Philippines. "I mean, honestly, that's what it's going to be. I mean, they will pay a very heavy price for the things they're doing." Mr. Araghchi issued the warning Wednesday after President Trump threatened further bombardment of Iran's civilian infrastructure if Tehran continued to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. "Our defense doctrine is clear: eye for an eye," he wrote on social media. "Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response. Those who contribute to such aggression, whatever the kind of support, will also be considered as legitimate targets." The war has escalated over the past two weeks, expanding in scope after the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen attacked two Saudi oil tankers transiting the Red Sea on Wednesday. President Trump said he was "very disappointed" with the Houthis, who had largely remained out of the conflict, and said he would hold Iran responsible for the attacks. "A year ago the United States of America attacked, very powerfully, the Houthis, for their interference with commerce and trade, by shooting at ships. Since that time, and during our conflict with Iran, they have acted very responsibly. Unfortunately, now they are starting up again, shooting at two Saudi Arabian ships last night," he wrote on Truth Social. "Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves, who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart." #marcorubio #iran #asean #trump #houthis #cspan ♬ original sound - C-SPAN - C-SPAN
