Rubio: contacts with Iran never ceased, US prefers diplomacy

Contacts continue, no timeline given

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that diplomatic contacts with Iran have never ceased, despite rising tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in Atlanta, he said the ongoing diplomatic efforts have no set timetable, but channels of communication remain open. According to him, the talks are held both directly and, more often, through intermediaries: “There are numerous talks. The talks have, in fact, never stopped.”

Washington's conditions and demands

Rubio stressed that President Donald Trump, in any global crisis, prefers to resolve issues “diplomatically and peacefully, if possible,” and that Washington would welcome a diplomatic outcome — provided it does not threaten US national security and the key concerns are addressed. At the center of these concerns, according to the Secretary of State, are Iran's nuclear program and, from Washington's point of view, Tehran's destabilizing role in the region. He accused Iran of attacks on commercial vessels in international waters, warning that strikes on ships carrying oil, gas and other cargo threaten not only the safety of navigation but also global energy and food supplies. He also pointed to Iran's support for regional groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, arguing that their activities increase instability and risks for neighboring countries.

Guarantees to Riyadh

Touching on the security of the Persian Gulf, Rubio reaffirmed US defense commitments to Saudi Arabia: Washington, he said, is in constant contact with Riyadh and intends to honor its agreements. The statement was made against the backdrop of escalation in the region; no reaction from Tehran or concrete outcomes of the talks are reported in the publication.