Tehran Hits Back After Rubio Accuses Iran of Energy Blackmail

India’s capital witnessed a diplomatic exchange after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Iran could hold global energy supplies hostage. The Iranian Embassy responded forcefully, calling the allegation an attempt to mask Washington’s own destabilizing actions in the region. The embassy statement stressed that Iran has long offered reliable energy supplies to India and other countries. It placed blame for market instability on years of “illegal” US sanctions that violate international norms and the UN Charter. Highlighting humanitarian consequences, the embassy said sanctions have blocked essential medicines and medical devices, endangering patients and creating widespread hardship. It also defended Iran’s nuclear program, stating it is peaceful, transparent, and under continuous IAEA monitoring with no reported violations. Rubio’s remarks came after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The secretary is on a four-day India tour that opened in Kolkata and focused on energy security and Middle East developments.