Manila (HRNW)- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Iran that if Tehran is not serious about negotiations and reaching an agreement, it will have to face the consequences. He claimed that Iran has repeatedly reached out seeking an agreement, adding that while the United States does not want to close the door to diplomacy, Iran must change its current policy.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in the Philippine capital, Manila, Marco Rubio said the US remains ready for talks and a diplomatic solution with Iran, but Tehran’s actions do not reflect a genuine commitment to reaching an agreement.
He said Iran is paying an increasing price every night for its actions and warned that the situation would continue unless Iran changes its behavior. According to Rubio, Washington is prepared for negotiations if Iran is serious, but will also take necessary measures to protect its interests and allies if diplomacy fails.
Rubio accused Iran of threatening international shipping and said that attacks on commercial vessels or attempts to restrict navigation through the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable. He warned that any continued disruption to global maritime trade would carry serious consequences.
The US Secretary of State further alleged that Iran has a history of making agreements and later backing away from them, urging the international community to judge Tehran by its actions rather than its statements.
He also expressed hope that Yemen’s Houthi movement would end attacks on commercial shipping, saying such actions continue to disrupt global trade and energy supplies.
Addressing broader regional security concerns, Rubio also highlighted China’s growing activities in the South China Sea, describing them as worrying and reaffirming that the United States would continue working with its allies to maintain regional stability.
His remarks come amid continuing tensions between Iran and the United States, with security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the wider Middle East remaining a major focus of international attention.
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