US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Washington is receiving signals through multiple channels that Iran wants to negotiate, even as military exchanges between the two nations escalate across the Gulf. Speaking to CNN, Rubio noted that Tehran’s outreach comes amid a “growing split within the regime,” suggesting internal disagreements over how far to push the confrontation with the United States.
Rubio’s remarks follow days of intensified clashes. The US has carried out nine consecutive nights of strikes on Iranian targets, including an attack on the Darkhovin nuclear power plant under construction in Khuzestan province. Iran condemned the strike as a dangerous assault on peaceful infrastructure, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warning that Tehran will take “appropriate action” and that Washington bears full responsibility for escalating instability.
The tensions began after Iran attacked vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US retaliation. Rubio said Iran is using the crucial waterway as leverage, disrupting maritime traffic and raising global concerns about energy security. He urged other nations to contribute equipment or funding to help protect shipping lanes, emphasising that the burden cannot fall solely on the United States.
Despite the rising military activity, Rubio stressed that diplomatic signals from Tehran should not be ignored. He said the US is prepared to safeguard maritime routes but expects international partners to step up as well. The widening internal divide within Iran’s leadership, he added, may be pushing some factions toward negotiation while others favour continued confrontation.