US Open to Ending Iran Crisis Through Diplomacy But Sees Little Commitment From Tehran, Rubio States

Marco Rubio addressed Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila and indicated that without genuine engagement from Iran the United States would take required steps to safeguard vital interests.

The United States continues to show willingness to pursue talks aimed at resolving the Iran crisis even as Rubio highlighted that Tehran shows little seriousness toward negotiations while the expanding conflict affects major global energy passages, the Secretary of State said on Wednesday.

Rubio delivered these remarks during a session with Southeast Asian counterparts one day after three oil tankers transporting Saudi crude toward Asia turned back in the Red Sea likely due to warnings issued by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

The Houthis who hold the coastline near the Red Sea entrance declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday thereby opening another potential theater in the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives across the Gulf region since it started on February 28 with strikes by the US and Israel on Iran.

Iran has already issued threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz at the Gulf exit making the Red Sea the primary alternative path for millions of barrels of Saudi oil each day.

A senior Iranian official informed Reuters on Monday that Tehran received a mediator proposal for a 10-day ceasefire intended to rescue the interim agreement reached by the US and Iran in June which had succeeded an earlier April truce.

Rubio Questions Tehran's Dedication to Negotiations

Further evidence that diplomatic channels remain active came as Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni traveled to Pakistan the mediating nation and urged Islamabad to sustain its involvement.

Rubio stated that Washington stays committed to diplomacy at all times yet expressed skepticism about whether Tehran shares that same level of dedication.

The challenge at present is that they show no seriousness toward discussions he said in Manila. When they demonstrate seriousness we will match it but if they do not we will take necessary measures to defend our interests along with those of our allies.

He emphasized that Iran must not be permitted to dominate the Strait of Hormuz because such control would set a hazardous example for the international community including Southeast Asian nations facing their own maritime disputes in the South China Sea with China.

Establishing a precedent in the Middle East where a state can seize an international waterway impose fees and destroy vessels that refuse payment would create a risky model likely to recur elsewhere including this region Rubio added.

Absent any diplomatic progress the US military conducted strikes on Iranian targets for an eleventh consecutive night on Tuesday. Residents in Tehran reported hearing blasts during the early hours of Wednesday while Iran activated air defenses above the capital according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Additional explosions occurred in the southeastern coastal areas of Chabahar and Konarak with two blasts also heard in Bushehr the site of Iran's sole nuclear power plant as reported by the official IRNA news agency.

Previously Iran struck US military locations in Bahrain Kuwait and Jordan while a tanker sustained damage in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran claimed it hit infrastructure linked to Amazon in Bahrain where the technology firm maintains a regional data center. Amazon offered no response and Reuters could not confirm the account.

US Personnel Fatalities Rise Amid Heightened Clashes With Iran

President Donald Trump confirmed that 18 US service members have died in the conflict to date including four killed during recent Iranian strikes on American bases in Jordan and Iraq.

Oil prices increased further during Asian trading on Wednesday after advancing more than 2 percent on Tuesday in reaction to the Houthi warnings with Brent crude remaining above 91 dollars per barrel and US gasoline exceeding 4 dollars per gallon.

In correspondence sent to shippers the Houthis on Tuesday warned of attacks on any vessels loading or unloading Saudi oil.

Trump observed that the Houthis have not yet closed the Bab el-Mandeb strait known as the Gate of Tears at the Red Sea entrance and pledged action against them should they proceed.

It has not occurred thus far Trump remarked. Should such a situation arise we will address it.

Three tankers carrying Saudi crude destined for China and India executed reversals in the Red Sea on Tuesday and proceeded toward the Suez Canal instead of continuing past the Yemeni shoreline.

Throughout the conflict Saudi Arabia has partially avoided shipping interruptions by routing oil via pipeline to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. However a complete closure of that pathway by the Houthis could diminish worldwide oil availability by trapping most Saudi exports.

On Tuesday Trump reiterated warnings to strike Iran's nuclear sites at Natanz soon which he stated in June 2025 had been completely destroyed following US bombing of the mountain-buried facility that month. Iran vowed a response.

Fifty civilians lost their lives and 500 others suffered injuries during the latest US strikes on Iran according to a health ministry official.