US Israel Iran War Latest News: Marco Rubio Says Iran Sending Signals for Talks Amid Ongoing US Strikes

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is sending signals that it wants to negotiate despite ongoing US airstrikes, as Washington insists military operations and diplomacy can proceed simultaneously.

By: Nisha Srivastava
Last Updated: July 20, 2026 10:41:50 IST

US-Iran War Latest News:  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States is receiving signs through several channels that Iran wants to negotiate, even as differences within Iran’s leadership appear to be increasing. His remarks came at a time when military tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate, with both sides carrying out fresh attacks.

US-Iran War Latest News: Rubio Says Iran Wants to Negotiate

In an interview with CNN, Rubio said the US has been receiving messages suggesting that Iran is interested in talks. However, he also indicated that there are growing disagreements within the Iranian leadership. “We are receiving signals through multiple channels of Iran’s desire to negotiate, but there is a growing split within the regime.” His statement comes as the United States continues military operations against Iranian targets, saying the strikes are intended to weaken Iran’s military capabilities, particularly those linked to attacks on commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran War Latest News: Rubio Urges Global Support to Protect Shipping

Earlier, Rubio accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in the regional conflict. Speaking to reporters before departing for the Philippines, he stressed that protecting one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes should not be the responsibility of the United States alone. Rubio said Washington would continue taking steps to secure international shipping lanes but urged other countries to contribute military equipment or financial support to help maintain maritime security.

US-Iran War Latest News: Ninth Straight Night of US Airstrikes

The conflict intensified further as the United States carried out its ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets. According to Iranian media reports, explosions were heard along Iran’s southern coastline. For the first time since the current military campaign began, blasts were also reported in the northwestern city of Tabriz, suggesting that the scope of the offensive is expanding beyond its earlier areas of operation. The widening geographical reach of the attacks has added to concerns that the conflict could spread further across the region.

US-Iran War Latest News: Trump Says US Hit Iran Hard

US President Donald Trump said the latest round of attacks was carried out in honour of “probably three great patriots” who were killed during the conflict. He described them as soldiers who fought to ensure that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” After returning to Washington following the World Cup final, Trump told reporters, “We hit them very hard again tonight.”

US-Iran War Latest News: US Says Diplomacy Still an Option

Despite the continuing military operations, Rubio said the United States has not closed the door on diplomatic efforts. According to Rubio, the Trump administration believes military action and diplomatic engagement can move forward at the same time. His comments indicate that while Washington continues its strikes against Iranian military targets, it remains willing to pursue negotiations if an opportunity arises. The latest developments highlight the growing complexity of the US-Iran conflict, with military operations intensifying even as both sides leave room for potential diplomatic discussions.

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