Marco Rubio Says Iran Not Serious About US Deal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has questioned Iran’s willingness to reach a diplomatic agreement, accusing Tehran of repeatedly violating or attempting to revise commitments after accepting them.
Rubio Questions Iran Deal Commitment
Speaking at a news conference in Manila, Rubio said he did not believe Iran was serious about reaching an agreement with Washington. He claimed Tehran was sending messages seeking negotiations through third countries but was failing to demonstrate that it would honour any resulting settlement.
Rubio said agreements could not succeed unless all parties complied with their terms. He accused Iran of either breaking previous deals soon after signing them or seeking to alter their conditions.
The US diplomat maintained that Washington remained open to negotiations if Tehran showed a credible commitment to implementing an agreement.
US-Iran Conflict Continues Escalating
Rubio said Iran was paying a heavy military and economic price for its actions and suggested that continued losses could eventually change Tehran’s negotiating position.
US forces have conducted repeated strikes against Iranian military targets, including missile launchers, radar installations, drone facilities and other defence infrastructure. Washington says the operations are intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten American interests and commercial shipping.
Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against US military facilities and has warned of further retaliation if its infrastructure is targeted.
Strait of Hormuz Dispute Blocks Talks
The continuing dispute over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains a major obstacle to diplomacy. Washington has accused Iran of attempting to control the international waterway, impose charges and threaten vessels that reject its conditions.
Rubio warned that allowing one country to control a major international shipping route would establish a dangerous global precedent. Tehran maintains that regional security requires the withdrawal of US forces and has warned that normal conditions in the strait will not return without security guarantees.
