US Secretary of State Rubio said on Wednesday that the US is still willing to engage in negotiations to end the Iran crisis, but Tehran is not taking the talks seriously. Rubio said Washington “has always been committed to diplomacy,” but he doubts whether Tehran attaches the same importance to negotiations. “The problem we're facing right now is that they aren't serious about negotiations. If they take it seriously, we will take it seriously; if they are not serious, we will take necessary measures to protect our interests and the interests of our allies,” Rubio said. He stressed that Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz, which will set a dangerous precedent for the world. Rubio said, “If we can set a precedent in the Middle East, where a nation state can decide to control an international waterway, charge tolls, and blow up your ship without paying, then we have set a very dangerous precedent. This practice will be repeated in other parts of the world.”

US Secretary of State Rubio said on Wednesday that the US is still willing to engage in negotiations to end the Iran crisis, but Tehran is not taking the talks seriously. Rubio said Washington “has always been committed to diplomacy,” but he doubts whether Tehran attaches the same importance to negotiations. “The problem we're facing right now is that they aren't serious about negotiations. If they take it seriously, we will take it seriously; if they are not serious, we will take necessary measures to protect our interests and the interests of our allies,” Rubio said. He stressed that Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz, which will set a dangerous precedent for the world. Rubio said, “If we can set a precedent in the Middle East, where a nation state can decide to control an international waterway, charge tolls, and blow up your ship without paying, then we have set a very dangerous precedent. This practice will be repeated in other parts of the world.”