WASHINGTON, Aug. 2: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that Washington will intensify efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, expressing optimism that fresh diplomatic initiatives could emerge in the coming weeks. At the same time, he reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering position that Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
In an interview with a news channel, Rubio said the US administration remains committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict despite significant differences between the two sides.
He noted that Moscow and Kyiv continue to hold firm positions on key issues but stressed that President Donald Trump has directed his administration to seize every opportunity to facilitate meaningful dialogue.
According to Rubio, the US President believes diplomacy should remain the preferred path to ending the prolonged conflict and has instructed his team to support any initiative capable of generating momentum toward peace negotiations.
Turning to the Middle East, Rubio defended the administration’s approach towards Iran, arguing that recent US military actions had significantly weakened Tehran’s defence infrastructure and altered the regional strategic landscape.
He claimed the operations had substantially reduced Iran’s military capabilities, including its naval strength, air power, missile defence systems and weapons production capacity, placing the country in a less advantageous position.
Rubio asserted that the increased pressure had encouraged Iranian leaders to show greater willingness to discuss denuclearisation, describing the negotiations as taking place from a position of American strength rather than compromise.
He reiterated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a core objective of US foreign policy, emphasising that Washington would not permit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions to become a reality.
Addressing relations with China, Rubio said the United States would continue maintaining open channels of communication with Beijing despite ongoing strategic competition. He observed that constructive engagement between the two global powers is essential to avoid a confrontation that could have severe consequences for international stability.
On Taiwan, Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s long-standing position against any unilateral or coercive attempt to alter the island’s status, stressing that the US supports maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.