The United States continues to pursue a diplomatic approach with Iran even as regional tensions escalate, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera.
Rubio stressed that President Donald Trump prefers negotiation over direct military confrontation and that indirect talks with Tehran are ongoing through intermediaries.
Rubio’s remarks come after Trump warned that the U.S. could target Iran’s civilian energy infrastructure—including power plants, oil facilities, and Kharg Island—if Tehran refuses to reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
Missiles and Nuclear Ambitions Under Scrutiny
Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s missile programme, noting that the country’s short-range missiles are intended for threatening neighboring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. He called on Tehran to halt the production of drones and missiles and abandon any nuclear ambitions.
“Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons,” Rubio said, emphasizing that the regime’s pursuit of such capabilities would be unacceptable due to the threat it poses to global security.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Concern
The U.S. official underlined the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil passes. He warned that any attempt by Iran to close the waterway after current military operations would carry “severe consequences,” and stressed that freedom of navigation will be ensured either with Iran’s cooperation or through a multinational coalition.
Markets and Global Repercussions
Global financial markets reacted to the uncertainty, with oil prices climbing—Brent crude surpassed $115 per barrel—while U.S. stocks opened higher after recent losses. Regional stock markets showed mixed results as the conflict widened, following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces on Israeli targets.
Rubio’s interview highlights the U.S. strategy of combining diplomacy with firm pressure, aiming to deter Iranian aggression while keeping channels for negotiation open.
Reporting based on an exclusive interview by Al Jazeera.
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https://thereporter24.com/news/us-prefers-diplomacy-with-iran-over-threat-says-rubio-in-exclusive-interview-with-al-jazeera
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