Rubio says Iran ‘begging’ for a deal with US but not ready to make one

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is seeking talks with Washington to end the war, but is not prepared to accept a deal. Speaking to reporters on Thursday on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila, Rubio said Iran had approached the US directly and indirectly, while arguing that Tehran repeatedly changes or breaches agreements.

Rubio said President Donald Trump’s policy toward Iran was tougher than what Iranian officials have described as an “eye for an eye” approach, characterizing it instead as “a head for an eye.” He said Washington’s main goal remained preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and claimed US strikes were causing major damage to Iranian industrial infrastructure. He also accused Iran of funding allied groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and Shia militias.

According to Al Jazeera, the comments came as US strikes on Iran continued for a 12th consecutive night. Washington says the attacks are meant to reduce Iran’s ability to target vessels in regional waters, while Tehran says civilian infrastructure has been struck. Al Jazeera reported that the latest strikes hit the passenger terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq, killing two people and injuring others. Iran has responded by attacking US military assets in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected US justifications for infrastructure strikes, saying such attacks could amount to unlawful reprisal and collective punishment. Al Jazeera also cited analyst Zeidon Alkinani, who said both sides appear to want a deal while accusing the other of bad faith, suggesting the cycle of retaliation may continue alongside any diplomacy.