Rubio warns Iran that the country will continue facing serious military and economic consequences unless it agrees to a new diplomatic agreement with the United States. Speaking during the ASEAN conference in Manila, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tehran would keep paying a “very heavy price” if it refused to negotiate a deal.
Rubio made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the regional gathering. He said Washington remained open to diplomacy but insisted that Iran must demonstrate a genuine commitment to reaching an agreement. According to Rubio, continued refusal to engage would result in further pressure.
The US secretary of state claimed that Iran’s defence industrial base had suffered major damage. He alleged that the country was losing radar systems and missile launchers on a regular basis. Rubio did not provide evidence to support the claims during his comments.
Rubio also stated that Iran had experienced billions of dollars in economic losses. He said the country’s economy was facing increasing pressure because of ongoing challenges and sanctions. According to him, these conditions would persist unless Tehran agreed to a negotiated settlement.
Discussing previous negotiations, Rubio accused Iran of failing to honour past agreements. He said Tehran either broke existing deals or later attempted to change their terms. He argued that this history had complicated diplomatic efforts between both sides.
Despite his criticism, Rubio indicated that diplomacy remained the preferred path. He suggested that a mutually acceptable agreement could help reduce tensions and improve regional stability. However, he stressed that meaningful progress would require commitments that both sides could trust.
Rubio warns Iran at a time when international attention remains focused on regional security and future diplomatic efforts. While Washington continues to call for negotiations, Tehran has repeatedly defended its positions on key issues. The latest remarks highlight that discussions over a possible agreement remain uncertain despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.
