Rubio called Iran's attitude toward negotiations with the US unserious

Tehran approached Washington about negotiations to resolve the armed conflict, but the United States does not consider Iran to be serious.

This was stated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a meeting of foreign ministers of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Manila.

"Iran approached the United States both directly and through intermediaries on the issue of negotiations to resolve differences in connection with what is happening in this part of the world," he claimed. "The problem is that they are not serious about negotiations."

According to Rubio, if Tehran demonstrates a "serious attitude" toward negotiations, Washington will do the same. Otherwise, the United States "will do everything necessary to protect its interests and the interests of its allies," the secretary of state added.