US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Iran is “begging” for an agreement with Washington—both directly and through intermediaries. In his view, Tehran can get a good deal if it “returns to reason” after recent strikes. Rubio stressed that the goal of the United States is not regime change in Iran, but the complete elimination of Iran’s nuclear weapons.
Rubio noted that Iranian officials, or those speaking on their behalf, are constantly trying to reach an understanding, but each time, after an agreement is reached, they change the terms. He refused to reveal details of current contacts with Tehran, but confirmed that some heads of Iran’s foreign ministry have told him that Iran wants to come to an agreement. The US top diplomat also accused Iran of “posting stupid videos on social media” and of hiding its military and economic losses due to the absence of a free press.
Washington will continue to apply pressure, forcing Iran to pay a “high price” if it refuses negotiations or violates any possible agreement. Rubio explained that the United States engages with different levels within Iran’s power structure because the clergy controls the country. He added that Iranians deserve better leadership than one that “shoots people in the streets,” and that Iran has the resources to become a rich country, but they are spent on armed militias and missile programs.
Against the backdrop of regional tensions, Rubio expressed hope for de-escalation by the Yemeni Houthis (the “Ansar Allah” movement). He said they had long stayed out of the war, but that recently Iran managed to draw them into the conflict and push them to attack Saudi ships in the Red Sea. The secretary of state said the United States is seeking to reduce escalation, and suggested that after several days of heightened tension, Iran may be willing to strike a deal because it is suffering serious losses day by day.
When asked about the war in Ukraine, Rubio said the Trump administration wants to end the conflict, but that is impossible without the consent of both sides. He pointed out that Kyiv has so far rejected Russia’s “3+2” proposal. Rubio denied rumors that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asked him to stop arms deliveries to Ukraine, explaining that the United States is fulfilling its commitments to NATO. President Trump, he said, is seeking to end the war, but that requires time, work, and the willingness of the parties.
In response to questions about Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program, Rubio said that any cooperation in this area requires Congressional approval and will be strictly peaceful. The US insists on conditions regarding the size of reactors and on the participation of American companies in construction to rule out diversion for unintended use. Regarding Cuba, the secretary of state criticized the leadership there as incompetent and ideologically committed to destroying the country, emphasizing that Washington supports free elections and representation of all segments of society.
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How does Iran’s political system work if power effectively belongs to the clergy (the Supreme Leader) rather than the president? — Iran is an Islamic republic where power is divided between elected bodies (the president, parliament) and appointed religious institutions. The Supreme Leader (rahbar) is the head of state and commander-in-chief; he controls the judiciary, the armed forces, and the media. The president is responsible for executive power and the economy, but his decisions can be blocked by the Guardian Council, made up of clerics. This dualism creates a system in which the clergy sets the strategic course, while the president manages day-to-day affairs.
What are the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia, and why are they called “armed militias”? — The IRGC is an elite military-political formation directly subordinate to the Supreme Leader. It handles not only defense, but also the economy, suppressing protests, and supporting allies abroad (for example, “Hezbollah”). The Basij is a voluntary militia often used for internal control and ideological mobilization. They are called “militias” because of their parallel command structure that is not accountable to civilian authorities, as well as the religious and ideological nature of their activities.
How does Iran support the Yemeni Houthis (the “Ansar Allah” movement), and how is this linked to attacks on ships in the Red Sea? — Iran provides the Houthis with military and technical assistance: it supplies drones (for example, Shahed-136), ballistic missiles, and components for their production, and it also trains fighters. Logistics is organized through Iraqi and Lebanese proxy groups. The attacks on ships in the Red Sea (since late 2023) are the Houthis’ response to the war in Gaza: they target vessels linked to Israel, attempting to disrupt international shipping. Iran uses these strikes to demonstrate its influence in the region without direct involvement in the conflict.
Full version: Rubio: Iran is seeking a deal and will pay a high price if it does not meet the terms