Iran Appeared To Open The Door To U.S. Talks. Marco Rubio Is Doing It Too.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is open to holding talks with Iran as Tehran also appears to be opening the door to renewed conversations.

Speaking to NBC's Today show, Rubio said Washington representatives could meet with Iranian counterparts "especially ⁠if it has the prospects of leading to something positive and ultimately achieving the goal of what this is all about".

Asked about President Donald Trump's current approach to the conflict and the possibility of him meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, he said: "He's a businessman ​who comes from the world of practicality and common sense. And common sense tells you there's no harm in engaging and talking to someone."

However, he also noted that Pezeshkian answers to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, "and the supreme leader is a radical Shia cleric and we need to remember that when we talk". Rubio claimed that "the central issue here is Iran is run by lunatic clerics" and "these people can never have nuclear weapons."

Trump said he would probably be open to meeting with Pezeshkian, who is expected to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

In this context, Iran said it can reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a matter of seven days if it reaches a deal with the U.S. to ease military pressure and lift the blockade of its ports.

Citing an unnamed senior Iranian official, Reuters detailed that Tehran conveyed a proposal to the U.S. last week. "The U.S. needs ​to announce that it wants to resolve the issue diplomatically, ​make that official, and then agree on a timeline for how the process will move forward," the official said.

Trump said he would probably be open to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is expected to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. The Iranian official said the delegation flying to New York has full authority to conduct diplomatic talks, but Pezeshkian is not expected to meet with Trump at the moment. Trump is set to address the UNGA on Tuesday.

At the same time, Trump also said he is in a "deciding mode" and "very big things" about the war will take place soon. "My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up? They better behave," Trump said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also threatened to "shut down" Iranian airlines and sanction countries receiving the planes as of Wednesday.