Marco Rubio says US "always committed to diplomacy" with Iran but skeptical of talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila on Wednesday that Washington remains open to diplomatic resolution of the ongoing conflict with Iran, though he expressed skepticism about Tehran’s willingness to engage seriously. His remarks came as the war disrupted two major energy shipping lanes: Iran has threatened the Strait of Hormuz, and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Rubio stated that the United States is “always committed to diplomacy,” but cautioned that if Iran does not negotiate in good faith, the U.S. will take necessary steps to defend its interests and those of allies. Mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire, and Iran’s interior minister visited Pakistan to request continued diplomatic efforts, even as U.S. airstrikes on Iran entered an 11th consecutive night.