Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Saturday that America will ultimately extract Iran's highly enriched uranium. He made the promise despite Tehran's resistance to the plan.
In an interview with NDTV's Vishu Som, Rubio insisted the removal is "very doable" from a technical perspective. Iran, however, has refused to engage in any discussions about it.
Rubio pointed to a recent precedent in Venezuela. Britain and the International Atomic Energy Agency helped remove highly enriched uranium from that country.
He stressed that Tehran must change its hardline position on the matter. Washington will resolve the issue regardless, he added.
"Our preference remains by far to be able to negotiate our way through this and arrive at an agreement," Rubio noted. "But we're going to solve it one way or the other."
On Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the top diplomat was blunt. He said the situation cannot persist indefinitely.
"The straits cannot continue to be closed. It is illegal," he declared.
Rubio accused Iranian forces of threatening commercial vessels and opening fire on them. Such actions violate international law, he argued.
He emphasized that no nation can seize international waterways and demand tolls for passage. Iran's attempt to do so is unlawful, according to him.
Rubio reiterated the Trump Administration's red line on nuclear weapons. "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," he said, stressing enrichment issues must be confronted head-on.
