Pasay city: The United States is committed to diplomacy and willing to negotiate with Iran, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday as hostilities between the two states continue. 'The United States remains open and willing to engage in positive, constructive negotiations and talks so long as the commitments that are made are kept,' he said in his opening remarks at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference with the U.S. in Pasay City. He warned, however, that consequences are necessary and 'has to happen' if those commitments were violated.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rubio elaborated on the potential consequences of violations, emphasizing the critical nature of ensuring commitments are upheld. He highlighted the dangers of a world where a significant percentage of the global energy supply could be compromised by a nation-state acting outside international laws, particularly those governing maritime transit.

The statement from Rubio followed a day after ASEAN foreign ministers expressed 'serious concern' about the Middle East situation following the cessation of the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday its successful completion of Washington, D.C.'s 11th consecutive evening of strikes against Iran, aimed at reducing its capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM reported that over the past three months, Iran has targeted more than 30 commercial vessels passing through the international waterway, posing risks to hundreds of seafarers and threatening the freedom of navigation.