Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday suggested that the U.S. depends "very little" on the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of which has led to a leap in gas and oil prices since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began.
Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Rubio if one of the conditions for the U.S. to end the conflict is "for the free flow of oil" through the strait.
"We depend very little on the straits so if, in fact, Iran decides to set up a toll, if they decide they are going to illegally control the strait and decide they are going to try to do that, I imagine that will be the president's call whether he wants to help," Rubio said.
"But this is a problem for the world," he added. "It's countries around the world that should be stepping up and dealing with that and saying that's intolerable and we've encouraged them to do."
Rubio previously warned on Friday that Iran could establish a "tolling system" for international vessels passing through the strait, which he called illegal and "unacceptable, it's dangerous for the world."
Gas and oil prices have stayed high since the conflict began. AAA reported that the U.S. national average for gas reached $4.06 on Wednesday. Trading for the U.S.-priced benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude has seen a decrease since the weekend and reached over $100 per barrel. The international benchmark, Brent crude, also saw a decrease that reached just under $102 per barrel on Wednesday.
President Trump and his administration have assured that prices will go down after the conflict with Iran ends. The president has floated the idea of taking over the strait, though he told the New York Post on Tuesday that he does not "think" about reopening the strait.
"My sole function was to make sure that they don't have a nuclear weapon," he said. "They're not going to have a nuclear weapon. When we leave, the strait will automatically open."
The president has also lashed out at U.S. allies that have shown reluctance in helping secure the strait. He wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday that countries must either buy U.S. oil or "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT."
"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he wrote in the post.
Trump announced earlier Wednesday that Iran requested a ceasefire ahead of a planned national address on Iran in the evening. The president said the U.S. would consider it "when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear."
The president added, "Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!"
A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that his government denies Trump's claim that a ceasefire request was issued.