US remains open to negotiated solutions with Iran, Rubio tells ASEAN

‘Dangerous precedent’

Rubio reiterated that Washington’s preference remains constructive engagement, provided that any commitments reached through diplomacy are respected.

“The United States remains open and willing to engage in positive, constructive negotiations and talks, so long as the commitments that are made are kept. When those commitments are not kept, which is what’s happened in this particular case, then there will be consequences, and that has to happen,” he said.

Rubio also said that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent with repercussions beyond the Middle East.

“If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation-state can decide to control an international waterway, charge a toll, and blow up your ships if you don’t pay, we have created a very dangerous precedent that will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including this region,” he said.