Washington, DC – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump is prepared to meet with any international figure, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Rubio explained that Trump does not view simply meeting with Washington’s adversaries as a political concession, but rather as a practical means of resolving international conflicts. He added, “If the Iranian Supreme Leader announced tomorrow that he wanted to meet with Trump, I am confident he would agree.” Rubio also noted that the US president embraces direct dialogue as a tool for managing global crises.
A new round of negotiations is expected in Geneva.
These statements come as both sides await a second round of talks in Geneva, following the first round hosted by Oman. The US delegation includes Washington’s envoy, Steve Wittkopf, and Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi expected to participate as a mediator.
The talks aim to reach an agreement that prevents a new military confrontation. This comes amid escalating warnings of a slide toward direct conflict.
A combination of diplomacy and military deterrence
Despite Trump’s insistence on a diplomatic solution, he has ordered a buildup of the US military presence in the Middle East. This includes the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group. He had previously stated that the alternative to the agreement would be “very strong measures,” referring to the strikes Washington launched against Iranian targets last year.
These US statements reflect a mix of openness to dialogue and a commitment to deterrence. This comes at a delicate juncture in relations between the two countries.
