Rubio says US remains open to diplomacy amid ongoing Iran bombings

Senator Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the United States remains “open to diplomacy” even as the ninth consecutive night of air strikes against Iranian targets continues. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Rubio emphasized that while the administration has authorized the ongoing campaign to degrade Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, it has not closed the door on negotiated solutions that could de‑escalate the conflict. He noted that the strikes, launched in response to a series of attacks on U.S. interests in the region, are intended to pressure Tehran to cease support for militant proxies, but that diplomatic channels are still being pursued in parallel.

The remarks come amid mounting international calls for restraint and a growing humanitarian toll in the affected areas. U.S. officials have indicated that the bombing operations will be calibrated to avoid civilian casualties, while diplomatic overtures are reportedly being coordinated with regional allies and the United Nations. Rubio’s statement underscores a dual‑track approach that seeks to maintain military pressure on Iran while keeping the possibility of a negotiated settlement alive, signaling that the United States is prepared to shift tactics if a viable diplomatic pathway emerges.