Rubio Doubts Iran is Serious About Making a Peace Deal

The United States will maintain its pressure on Iran until the nation agrees to abandon its nuclear ambitions and adheres to any agreements it enters into, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Speaking at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Rubio expressed skepticism about Iran's commitment to negotiations, despite claims from Tehran that it wishes to resume talks with Washington.

Rubio noted that Iran has communicated its desire to negotiate through third-party countries. However, he accused the Iranian leadership of frequently breaking agreements or attempting to alter their terms after they have been finalized. "I just don't think they're serious about making a deal, these guys. I mean, the more the President's gotten to know them, the more he's come to that realization," Rubio stated during a press briefing with GMA News and U.S. journalists.

The Secretary of State emphasized that making a deal requires trust and reliability, qualities he believes are lacking in the Iranian leadership. "You can't make a deal with people unless they're going to keep it. And these people make deals, and then they break it almost immediately. Or they decide, ‘Oh, let's change the deal.’ That's not how deals work," he added.

Rubio pointed out that Iran had violated a memorandum of understanding just days after it was implemented, while the United States had fulfilled its obligations under the agreement. He remarked, "They violated the MOU within days of it being implemented. We kept our end of it. So now they're paying the price for it. And maybe they'll change their mind here over the next few days as they continue to suffer great losses."

The Secretary of State warned that Iran would face increasingly severe consequences until its leaders demonstrate a willingness to honor any agreements made. He stated, "The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, the people that are in charge there, they either break it or they want to change it. So it looks like they're not ready to make a deal. So they're going to continue to pay a price. And every night the price gets higher and higher and higher."

Rubio reiterated that the primary objective of the United States is the denuclearization of Iran, rather than a regime change. He asserted, "The US is seeking a denuclearized Iran that will never have a nuclear weapon... Our number one interest and the threat they pose to the world is these lunatics in possession of a nuclear weapon. And that's not going to happen, not as long as Donald Trump is President."

In addition to discussing the situation with Iran, Rubio addressed various regional security issues, including tensions in the West Philippine Sea. He spent considerable time explaining the reasons behind the failure of the United States and Iran to reach a resolution to their ongoing conflict. The hostilities have had repercussions beyond the Middle East, particularly through rising oil prices, which could impact consumers in the Philippines.

As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Iran will alter its approach to negotiations or if the United States will adjust its strategy in response to ongoing developments. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the implications of these tensions extend far beyond the immediate region.