Rubio Just Delivered a Warning to Iran That Leaves Almost No Room to Maneuver

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States remains willing to negotiate with Iran but cautioned that broken commitments “will be consequences.”

Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines after the 11th consecutive night of U.S. strikes, Rubio stated, “The problem we’re having right now is they’re not serious about talks. If they’re serious, we’re serious. If they’re not, then we will do what is necessary to protect our interests and also the interests of our allies.”

He rejected Iranian demands to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “If we create a precedent 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.”

Rubio emphasized freedom of navigation as a core principle underpinning global trade. “The United States remains open and willing to engage in positive negotiations… so long as the commitments that are made are kept. When those commitments are not kept… then there will be consequences.”

The comments came as the 60-day negotiating window under a June memorandum of understanding passed its midpoint with little progress.