The effort is primarily about assisting nearly 23,000 sailors from 87 countries who have been trapped in the Gulf for more than two months, Rubio emphasizes.
"We are the only ones who can do it, and we will do it as a service to the world," says Rubio, emphasizing that Iranian threats and attacks on merchant ships are a criminal act.
Two American merchant ships have been able to pass through the strait since the operation began, according to the US military. However, commercial shipping appears to remain at a standstill, Bloomberg reports.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened again on Tuesday that ships that disobey can expect a "forceful response."
President Donald Trump is urging Iran to "do the smart thing" and make a deal to end the war.
"Because we don't want to go in and kill people," he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Trump declined to say how far Iran would be allowed to go in terms of attacks to formally break the ceasefire.
"You would notice," the president replied.
