Rubio: Trump Open to Iran Talks, Military Action Remains an Option

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Saturday that President Donald Trump has not established a deadline for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with Iran, while also indicating that military strikes against Tehran could be resumed. Speaking at the close of a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Rubio informed reporters that he was unaware of any specific timeframe for the Qatar-led negotiations aimed at de-escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran. "If there is a diplomatic solution, we would be open to it," he commented. However, he stressed that any agreement must not jeopardize U.S. national security or fail to address Washington's primary concerns.

When questioned about the administration's confidence in the brevity and success of renewed strikes without provoking Iranian retaliation, Mr. Rubio stated that President Trump had not made a decision regarding further military action. He asserted that the U.S. possesses the world's most formidable military capabilities and has "everything we need to be successful" should military action become necessary. Nevertheless, "the President prefers to solve it diplomatically," Mr. Rubio added.

He further cautioned that Iran is threatening the energy infrastructure of its neighboring Gulf states as a tactic to pressure the U.S. "The Iranian regime is basically arguing: unless we get what we want, not only will we blow up ships, but we will destroy the energy infrastructure of our neighbours in the entire region," he said in response to a query from The National.

In response to a question from this publication regarding the U.S. ability to guarantee security for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners, Mr. Rubio confirmed that U.S. forces are actively assisting in the protection of regional shipping and airspace. He noted that U.S. forces are intercepting Iranian drones and missiles targeting vessels on an almost daily basis, underscoring Washington's substantial presence in regional air defense.

Mr. Rubio reiterated the U.S. defense commitments to Saudi Arabia but refrained from commenting on whether American forces would participate in any Saudi offensive operations against Yemen's Houthis. "We have a defence co-operation agreement. We have defence understandings with Saudi Arabia. We intend to continue to live up to those commitments," he stated.

He also expressed disappointment regarding the limited international support for safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, despite repeated calls from President Trump for other nations to contribute. "So far, we've had some very limited co-operation, but not much," Mr. Rubio remarked, adding that the primary responsibility for protecting shipping has fallen upon the United States.

The U.S. holds the presidency of this year's G20 meetings and will transfer it to Britain next year. As the host in Atlanta, Mr. Rubio faced criticism for his reception of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The U.S. has also extended an invitation to President Vladimir Putin for a leaders' summit in Florida in December, signaling a deepening engagement with Moscow by President Trump. Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, expressed concern that Mr. Putin's potential attendance could legitimize Russia's return to international forums while its conflict in Ukraine persists. She told Bloomberg TV that the invitation "poses a lot of big questions" and risks "normalizing the war crimes being committed every day now" in Ukraine. However, she also acknowledged that Mr. Lavrov's presence offered an opportunity to "immediately fight back on these lies" from Russian officials.

Mr. Rubio emphasized the importance of Russia having a voice in discussions for a negotiated settlement in the war with Ukraine. "In order to end the war in Ukraine peacefully, you're going to have to have a negotiated settlement," he said. "How can you have a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine if you don't have the ability to talk to both Russia and Ukraine."

Highlighting divisions within the G20, a planned group photograph was canceled due to Western members' reluctance to be photographed with Mr. Lavrov. The meeting concluded without a joint communique, although Mr. Rubio indicated he would issue a chairman's statement. He had stated on Friday that the world is at a "critical moment" and warned of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises posing "severe threats" to the fundamental structures of the global economic order.