Washington, DC – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that there are channels of communication and direct talks between Iranian parties and the United States through intermediaries.
He also indicated that President Donald Trump “prefers diplomacy to reach a satisfactory outcome.”
Stop sponsoring terrorism
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Monday, Rubio strongly criticized the policies of the Iranian regime.
He accused it of squandering the country’s wealth to support Hezbollah, Hamas,
and militias in Iraq instead of investing in development.
He also asserted that these proxies pose a direct threat to neighboring countries.
Rubio said, “We welcome a scenario in which Iran is led by figures
with a different vision for the future, and if that opportunity arises, we will seize it.”
The US Secretary of State emphasized Washington’s red lines,
asserting that “the Iranian regime cannot possess nuclear weapons.”
He also demanded that Iran “cease its sponsorship of terrorism”
and halt the production of missiles and drones that threaten the Gulf states.
A dangerous and unacceptable precedent
Rubio asserted that Iran’s future could be “bright” if it genuinely abandoned its nuclear ambitions and weapons programs.
Regarding the international shipping crisis, Rubio dismissed any questioning of sovereignty over the strategic Strait of Hormuz,
describing the notion of Iranian sovereignty over it as “a dangerous precedent that is internationally unacceptable.”
Rubio also asserted in a decisive tone: “The Strait of Hormuz will be opened one way
or another with the end of the American military operation,
whether with Tehran’s consent or through an international coalition led by America.”
He warned Tehran of “serious consequences” if it insisted on closing the Strait after the military operation concluded.
This message directly reflected Washington’s readiness for all scenarios,
both military and diplomatic, to ensure the stability of global energy supplies.
