U.S. Secretary of State Rubio: The U.S. is still willing to negotiate on the Iran issue.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the United States is still willing to resolve the Iran issue through negotiations, but Tehran lacks sincerity in dialogue. At the same time, the escalating conflict has disrupted the two most critical energy transportation chokepoints globally. Pompeo made the remarks at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers. The day before, three oil tankers carrying Saudi crude oil and originally bound for Asia turned back in the Red Sea, a response widely seen as a reaction to recent threats from the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis control the coast along the Red Sea outlet and declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday, potentially opening a new front in the war. Since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, the conflict has already resulted in thousands of deaths in the Gulf region. With Iran threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz (the only outlet linking the Persian Gulf), the Red Sea has become a major alternative route for Saudi Arabia's daily export of millions of barrels of crude oil. A senior Iranian official revealed on Monday that Tehran has received a 10-day ceasefire proposal from mediators aimed at saving the temporary ceasefire agreement signed between the U.S. and Iran in June of this year, which replaced the ceasefire arrangement reached in April. Another sign that diplomatic efforts have not completely stopped is that Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeini has visited the mediator Pakistan and asked Islamabad to continue mediating. Pompeo stated, "Washington is committed to diplomatic avenues," but expressed doubt about whether Tehran is taking negotiations seriously. "The problem we face right now is that they are not serious about negotiations. If they are serious, we are serious; if they are not, we will take necessary steps to protect our interests and those of our allies," Pompeo said in Manila. With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, the U.S. military conducted bombing raids on Iranian targets inside Iran for the 11th consecutive night on Tuesday. According to the semi-official Iranian news agency Fars, residents in Tehran heard explosions early Wednesday and Iran subsequently activated its air defense system over the capital. Explosions were also reported in the southeastern coastal cities of Chabahar and Konarak, and two explosions were reported near Bushehr (where Iran's only nuclear power plant is located). Previously, Iran had attacked U.S. targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and an oil tanker was also attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed to have targeted the infrastructure of Amazon.com, Inc. in Bahrain (the company operates a regional data center there). Amazon.com, Inc. has not commented on the claim. In addition, the Iranian military issued a statement on the 22nd, stating that Iranian forces used a large number of drones to strike the U.S. Doha Camp in western Kuwait, targeting ammunition depots and logistical equipment at the ground forces command center. The statement pointed out that Doha Camp is a support center for U.S. forces in western Asia, where a large number of U.S. personnel and equipment are deployed. President Trump confirmed that 18 U.S. military personnel have died in the war so far, with 4 of them killed in recent Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan and Iraq. Affected by the Houthi threat, oil prices rose more than 2% on Tuesday, continuing to rise during the Asian trading session on Wednesday, with Brent crude hovering around $93 per barrel and U.S. gasoline prices back above $4 per gallon. "The Gate of Tears" The Houthis threatened in a letter to shipping companies on Tuesday that they would attack any ships unloading Saudi oil. Trump said the Houthis have not yet blocked the Mandab Strait (known as the "Gate of Tears," a narrow channel leading to the Red Sea) and warned that if they take action, the U.S. will respond. "It hasn't happened yet," Trump said. "If it does happen, we'll deal with it." On Tuesday, three oil tankers carrying Saudi crude oil and initially bound for China and India turned around in the Red Sea and headed towards the Suez Canal instead of risking passing through the waters near the Yemeni coast at the mouth of the Red Sea. Throughout the war, Saudi Arabia has been sending some of its oil to the Red Sea's Yanbu port via pipelines to avoid shipping interruptions. However, if the Houthis completely block this alternative route, most of Saudi Arabia's oil exports will be trapped, affecting global oil supply. On Tuesday, Trump once again threatened to "quickly" attack the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran - he had claimed in June 2025 that the mountain bunker facility had been "completely destroyed" after a U.S. bombing raid. Iran vowed to retaliate at the time. Iran's highest military command, the Central Headquarters of Hattam Anbiya, issued a stern warning that if the U.S. launches attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and other sensitive targets, Tehran will expand the scope of its counterattack and strike U.S. and its allies' interests throughout the region.