Rubio says Iran ‘begging’ for a deal with US but not ready to make one

During remarks at an ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined Washington's assessment of Iran's negotiating posture. According to Rubio, Iranian officials have privately and publicly signaled interest in dialogue with the United States to resolve ongoing tensions. However, he contended that Tehran lacks genuine readiness to commit to a binding agreement, citing a pattern of non-compliance with previous arrangements.

Rubio characterized Iran's government as ideologically driven and economically mismanaged. He argued that Iran possesses the potential to become the region's wealthiest nation but instead directs resources toward regional proxy groups and militant organizations. He identified Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and various Shia militias as recipients of Iranian state funding.

On the military dimension, Rubio described the Trump administration's approach as asymmetrically forceful in response to Iranian actions. He stated that the United States has conducted strikes over 12 consecutive nights targeting Iranian military capabilities, particularly those affecting regional maritime security. According to Rubio, these operations have inflicted billions of dollars in damage to Iranian industrial infrastructure.

Rubio reaffirmed that preventing Iranian nuclear weapons development remains the primary US objective. He dismissed claims that Russia has assisted Iran's weapons programs and suggested that Yemen's Houthi movement has been manipulated by Iran into regional military involvement.

The remarks follow a memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran last month, which both nations now effectively consider defunct. Recent US strikes have targeted Iranian military and civilian infrastructure, with Iran responding through attacks on American military positions throughout the Middle East.