US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 8 October 2026 warned that over-reliance on energy supplies from any single region poses a direct threat to the global economy and to the ability of nations to pursue independent foreign policies. Speaking alongside Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis at a joint press conference in Athens, Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to building alternative energy corridors and deepening partnerships that can shield international energy markets from geopolitical shocks.

Key Remarks from the Athens Presser

'We can never be in a situation where if energy is cut off or energy flows are cut off from one part of the world, the whole world is threatened,' Rubio said. He argued that excessive dependence on particular supply routes could undermine sovereign nations' ability to act in their own interests — a concern that has grown sharper as the conflict involving Iran continues to raise alarms about the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

'I would argue that energy security is tied to national security,' he added, pointing to Iran as a case study in how regional conflicts can expose critical vulnerabilities in global energy markets.

Greece as a Strategic Energy Hub

Greece has emerged as a pivotal node in Washington's strategy to expand American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Central and Eastern Europe. Foreign Minister Gerapetritis highlighted the Vertical Corridor — an energy transportation network designed to route American LNG into European markets — as evidence that bilateral energy cooperation had reached an unprecedented level.

Gerapetritis also noted the growing footprint of American energy companies in Greece, including exploration for underwater hydrocarbon deposits. Notably, Greek-owned commercial vessels currently transport more than 20 per cent of LNG reaching global markets, underlining the country's outsized importance to international energy security.

US Support for Major Greek Energy Projects

When asked whether Washington would back key Greek energy initiatives — including ExxonMobil operations, Chevron exploration south of Crete, and proposed electricity interconnectors linking Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, and Israel — Rubio reaffirmed American support while acknowledging that some projects involved sensitive diplomatic questions concerning third countries.

He declined to name those countries or elaborate on the complications. 'I know we like to be transparent, but there are things in global affairs that are best not debated at press conferences, but handled at the table of dialogue,' Rubio said.

Maritime Security and the Strait of Hormuz

The Athens discussions also ranged across maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the protection of international supply chains. Gerapetritis said Greece was prepared to consider maritime assistance in the Strait of Hormuz if circumstances permitted and a viable peace process was in place, stressing that secure shipping lanes were essential not only for energy but for broader international trade and economic stability.

This comes amid a wider US-led effort to construct a more resilient global energy architecture — one that reduces the leverage any single hostile actor can exert over world markets. With European energy security still fragile following years of supply disruptions, the Athens meeting signals that Washington views Greece as a frontline partner in this longer-term strategic project.