US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran is privately pressing Washington for a deal to end the war, but Tehran is not yet 'ready' to accept one. He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, Philippines.

Rubio described Iran as 'a country run by radical clerics' who are 'oblivious' to its economic problems. He claimed Iran could be the richest country in the Middle East but instead funnels money to Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other terrorist groups.

Responding to Iranian officials' 'eye for an eye' policy, Rubio said President Donald Trump's approach is 'a head for an eye.' He alleged Iran's industrial infrastructure is being 'decimated,' causing billions in damage. Washington's primary goal remains a denuclearized Iran, he emphasized.

The US has launched strikes on Iran for 12 consecutive nights, claiming they target Iran's ability to hit vessels in regional waters. Tehran says civilian infrastructure has been hit, including a passenger terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq, killing two people.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected justifications for the strikes, calling them unlawful reprisal and collective punishment under international humanitarian law. He urged service members to refuse 'manifestly unlawful' orders, citing the US War Crimes Act.

Zeidon Alkinani, founding director of the Arab Perspectives Institute, said Iran uses 'very similar rhetoric' to Washington: both sides want a deal but accuse the other of not being serious. On the Houthis, he noted their recent silence on Iran, suggesting they may seek a new deal autonomous from Tehran.

Source: www.aljazeera.com