Rubio says US remains open to Iran talks but warns there 'will be consequences'

Rubio Indicates US Remains Open to Iran Negotiations While Warning of Consequences for Violations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on July 22, 2026, that the United States continues to be willing to negotiate with Iran but stated there “will be consequences” if Tehran does not uphold its commitments. He made the remarks at the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.

Rubio questioned whether Iran is approaching talks in good faith. “The problem we’re having right now is they’re not serious about talks. If they’re serious, we’re serious,” he said. “If they’re not, then we will do what is necessary to protect our interests and also the interests of our allies.”

He addressed Iran’s reported demands regarding control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio stated that Iran has no legal authority to impose such control and that permitting it would establish a precedent affecting international waterways. “If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation-state can decide that they are going to control an international waterway and, if you don’t pay them, blow up your ships, we have created a very dangerous precedent, which will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including in this region,” he said.

Rubio described the principle of freedom of navigation as central to the issue. “If that is threatened, then I think the global economy is threatened, and the rules which have underpinned 150 years of international trade and commerce are also threatened, and that cannot be allowed to happen,” he said.

The comments occurred after the midpoint of a 60-day period established by a June 17 memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. That agreement addresses Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, sanctions, and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Iran has conducted attacks on commercial vessels in the strait during this period, while US forces have carried out strikes on Iranian military targets.

President Trump has stated that a prior ceasefire is over but noted on July 21 that Iran seeks meetings. Rubio aligned with that position, saying the United States is prepared to negotiate provided commitments are observed. “The United States remains open and willing to engage in positive negotiations and talks so long as the commitments that are made are kept,” he said. “When those commitments are not kept, which is what’s happened in this particular case, then there will be consequences. And that has to happen.”

Rubio linked the maintenance of military options to preventing disruption of shipping lanes. “If these consequences didn’t exist, then today we would be living in a world where a significant percentage of the energy supply in this region and 20% of the world’s energy supply is being held hostage by a rogue regime,” he said.

US Central Command has released imagery associated with strikes conducted on Iranian military capabilities. The specific number of consecutive nights of operations has not been independently verified in public statements from the command.