In the midst of continuous military strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed that the U.S. remains receptive to diplomatic discussions with Iran.
“The United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution. We’ve tried multiple times with Iran, and we’ll continue to try. If that door opens, we’ll be happy to see,” Rubio told CNN on Sunday before he departed for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila.
Rubio criticized Iran for its attacks on ships and for blocking the Strait of Hormuz. He mentioned the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran that was agreed upon in June, designed to enhance the ceasefire and restore traffic through the crucial waterway.
“They can’t have an MOU that’s alive if they’re violating the terms of it,” Rubio stated. He added that despite Iran’s indications of willingness to negotiate, its actions, such as launching missiles and drones against ships, is what is driving the U.S. retaliation.
“...their behavior is what we’re responding to,” said Rubio.
When questioned about the potential repercussions of the failure in diplomatic efforts, Rubio responded, “I don’t think it’ll be good for Iran. I mean, Iran’s economy is in shambles.”
Hormuz Risks Grow as War Widens
Rubio’s statement came as the U.S. military initiated its ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran. The escalating military campaign against Iran and rising American casualties have renewed concerns over oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. At the time of writing, Brent crude oil prices were trading 3.2% higher at $90.89 per barrel.
The Pentagon said a third U.S. service member had been killed in the latest fighting. The latest death brings the total number of U.S. military fatalities since the conflict began in February to 17.
Furthermore, on Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) reported a vessel catching fire near the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The cause of the fire remains unverified, but it underscores the volatile situation in the region.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, on Saturday accused President Donald Trump of violating the U.S.-Iran agreement, warning that Iran and its regional allies would respond forcefully if the conflict continues to escalate. Khamenei also revived the term “the Great Satan” to describe the U.S., calling the agreement proof that the U.S. president’s commitments are “worthless and unreliable” and accusing Washington of pursuing bullying and hegemonic ambitions.
