Rubio said that it is not just the US that has the job of protecting ships around the world.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the door is still open for talks with Iran. The US military continued its heavy airstrikes on Iran for the ninth consecutive night. This statement by Secretary of State Rubio came on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters in Maryland, US, before departing for Manila to attend the Association of Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, Minister Rubio said, “We have tried repeatedly with Iran and will continue to try. If the door to dialogue opens, we welcome it.”
However, he has set a condition that Iran must first improve its behavior for a change in US strategy. “For our behavior to change, their behavior must first change,” he added.
According to Secretary of State Rubio, Iran is sending signals that it wants to talk to the US directly and through intermediary countries, but he did not disclose the details of this. There has been no sign of diplomacy publicly as both sides have intensified attacks on each other for the past week.
Commenting on Iran's latest move, Rubio said, "We have only responded to Iran's behavior. They are targeting ships with missiles and drones tonight, which is unacceptable."
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had said that the US would provide security to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and charge a fee for it.
But within days of such an announcement, Trump also said that the plan was suspended. Responding to a question about this, Secretary of State Rubio has also urged other countries to step up.
He said that it is not only the US that continues to protect ships around the world. 'It is not only the US that continues to protect all ships on this earth,' Rubio said, 'Now other countries also need to step up and help. Whether it is by providing military equipment or financially.'
