Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly condemned Iran for threatening to destroy commercial vessels in international waters, calling the behavior illegal under international law and warning that tolerating it would set a dangerous precedent for global trade.

Rubio described Iran’s actions as “economic arson” and piracy. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, is one of the most important chokepoints in global commerce. Before the current escalation, roughly 130 ships passed through daily. Now, only a handful transit under military protection.

The human and economic toll

At least ten civilian sailors have been killed in incidents tied to Iranian attacks on…