Marco Rubio

That's an unacceptable thing that they're trying to normalize.

So if the answer is no, we don't think Iran should be able to control the Straits of Hormuz, then the next question is going to be for everyone, well, what are you going to do about it?

What is the world prepared to do about it?

And we're trying to do something about it diplomatically.

We have a resolution at the United Nations that we're trying to move forward in which the world and the UN will have an opportunity through the Security Council to vote and say, we are not going to allow them to mine the Straits.

We're not going to allow them to try to control the Straits.

And by the way, you have a bunch of humanitarian aid that's trapped inside the Persian Gulf and needs to be released and has not been able to move.

We're gonna give the world a chance to pronounce itself on it.

And if Russia or China or some other country decide to veto it, then you know what the impediment is.

But the fundamental question every country, not Italy, every country needs to ask themselves is, are you gonna normalize

a country claiming to control an international waterway.

Because if you normalize that, you've set a precedent that's going to get repeated in a dozen other places.

Hmm.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the goal is to have a strong Lebanese government in control of its territory without an Iranian-backed militia threatening anyone.

Secretary Rubio launched the talks between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington in the middle of April, and President Trump joined them just over a week later.

Thursday and Friday will be the third such gathering.

even as Israel continues to occupy large parts of southern Lebanon and continues to exchange fire with Hezbollah despite a ceasefire.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

Of course we fired back at them.

They were shooting at us.