In April, Peters met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC. That came ahead of a deadline US President Donald Trump had put on Iran for a peace deal.
A statement issued afterwards by the White House said the pair “discussed the bilateral relationship, the ongoing conflict in Iran, co-operation on critical minerals supply chains, and advancing prosperity and security in the Pacific Islands region”.
“Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Peters applauded the enduring friendship between New Zealand and the United States and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared interests and strategic priorities.”
This week, the US has struck sites in Iran near the Strait of Hormuz as peace talks occurred in Qatar.
Rubio told reporters the Strait of Hormuz needed to be opened.
“They’re going to be open one way or the other. So they need to be open. What’s happening there is unlawful; it’s illegal. It’s unsustainable for the world; it’s unacceptable. “