United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, that the US remains open to "positive and constructive negotiations" with Iran, provided that commitments are honored. However, he accused Tehran of not being serious about talks during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Manila.

Rubio warned that allowing a nation-state to control an international waterway like the Strait of Hormuz, charge tolls, and attack ships that do not comply would set a "very dangerous precedent" with potential global repercussions, including in the Middle East. He emphasized that Iran demands control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a right he said Iran does not have under any existing legal mechanism.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command issued a statement on Tuesday declaring that any attack on the Strait would be considered an expansion of war in the region.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with a health ministry official reporting that fifty people have been killed and 500 wounded in recent US attacks on Iran. The US has also expanded its strikes for the 11th consecutive night.

Additionally, the war's financial cost has been highlighted, with a figure of $37 billion revealed by Hegseth, who called the conflict a failure.

Sources