At the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remains willing to negotiate with Iran but warned of consequences if Tehran continues to breach its commitments.
His remarks came after U.S. forces completed an 11th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets, underscoring the tension between diplomatic outreach and military action.
Rubio questioned Iran’s willingness to engage in good‑faith talks, stating that the United States will match the seriousness of any negotiations and will act to protect its own interests and those of its allies if Iran does not.
He highlighted Iran’s demand to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that no nation has legal authority to seize an international waterway and that such a precedent would endanger global maritime security.
Emphasizing the principle of freedom of navigation, Rubio warned that undermining this principle threatens the global economy and the legal framework that has guided international trade for more than a century and a half.
The United States and Iran have reached the midpoint of a 60‑day negotiating window established under a June memorandum covering Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, sanctions, and navigation rights, yet hostilities have continued.
Despite the agreement, Iran has repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the strait while U.S. forces have persisted in striking Iranian military assets across the region, raising concerns of a broader conflict.
Rubio reiterated that the United States remains open to positive negotiations as long as commitments are honored, but warned that failure to uphold them will trigger necessary consequences.
He cautioned that without a credible threat of force, a significant portion of the world’s energy supply—about 20 percent—could be held hostage by a rogue regime, jeopardizing global stability.
