Rubio says Iran is seeking a deal with the US as strikes continue

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran wants an agreement but is not yet prepared to make one, as strikes reportedly continued for a 12th straight night. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran is looking for a deal with Washington, but still is not ready to close one, according to reporting from Al Jazeera. His comments came as strikes were said to be hitting Iran for a 12th straight night, underscoring how tense the situation remains even as diplomatic language continues in public. The remarks point to a familiar pattern in high-stakes crises: pressure on the ground, negotiations in the background, and sharply different messaging depending on the audience. Rubio’s framing suggests the US believes Tehran has an interest in talks, while also arguing that any breakthrough remains distant. The That phrase reflects an exchange of force-and-response logic rather than a path toward immediate de-escalation. It also suggests the Biden-era diplomatic challenge has now become part of a broader contest in which military escalation and negotiation are moving at the same time.