NEW DELHI: The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following his visit to the Taj Mahal, asserting that the renowned monument was constructed by “the genius of Iranian architects.” The consulate’s remarks included accusations that the United States is undermining Iranian civilization.
Rubio, on a four-day official visit to India, toured the Mughal-era Taj Mahal with his wife Jeanette. After the visit, he described the monument as “one of the love treasures of the world.”
In a post on X, the Iranian Consulate expressed, “If Rubio knew the history or architecture, he wouldn’t have posed for a picture here. This monument was built out of love for the emperor’s Iranian wife, crafted by the genius of Iranian architects — meanwhile, his government today threatens to wipe out Iranian civilization, insulting other civilizations.” This post included a photograph of Rubio and his wife in front of the Taj Mahal.
The consulate’s comments referenced earlier remarks by former President Donald Trump during rising tensions in the Iran-U.S. relationship. On April 7, Trump warned, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again, if a deal is not reached,” amid an escalation of hostilities.
The U.S. and Israel initiated joint military actions against Iran on February 28, further intensifying regional tensions.
Rubio’s visit to India precedes the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled to take place in New Delhi on Tuesday, which includes representatives from India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan. During his time in India, Rubio also visited Amber Fort in Jaipur, accompanied by his wife and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
While at the Taj Mahal, Rubio expressed his appreciation in the visitors’ book, stating, “Thank You For Allowing Us To Visit One Of The Love Treasures Of The World.” Security measures were heightened around the monument during his visit, leading to temporary removal of tourists from certain areas.
In a separate statement issued the day before, the Iranian Embassy in India rebuffed Rubio’s accusations that Tehran was “holding the global energy market hostage.” The embassy claimed that U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil exports had disrupted global energy markets and were imposed “in violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
Rubio maintained that the U.S. would not permit Iran to “hold the global energy market hostage” and emphasized that Washington seeks to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without tolls. He mentioned ongoing negotiations with Iran, stating, “Work is still in progress. We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today.”
