Rubio says US still open to diplomatic route with Tehran

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the U.S. remains open to a diplomatic solution with Iran, despite Tehran violating its interim agreement by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio emphasized that the American military would continue to degrade Iranian assets until safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz is secured, noting, "You can’t have a MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] that’s alive if they’re violating the terms of it." He also highlighted an internal split within Iran between those recognizing the country's economic difficulties and militant factions. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, confirmed on Monday that Tehran had received "proposals and ideas from several mediators" to end the conflict. The U.S. is reportedly deploying additional warplanes to the Middle East, suggesting a potential intensification of strikes.