‘US open to talks with Iran, meeting not to be seen as legitimisation of regime’: Marco Rubio

Feb 05, 2026

Washington DC (USA), Feb 5, 2026 (ANI): The United States has said it is ready to engage in talks with Iran amid escalated tension between the two countries if Tehran is willing to meet, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (local time) emphasising that Washington does not view dialogue as a concession or legitimisation of the Iranian regime. Speaking during a press conference on the sidelines of the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington DC, the US Secretary of State said that US President Donald Trump is open to meeting and engaging with anyone in the world, including adversaries, noting Trump's similar approach during his first administration. "President Trump is willing to talk to and meet with and engage with anyone in the world. We don't view meetings as a concession. We don't view meetings as even a little legitimisation. It is our willingness to sit and listen and talk to anyone, any adversary, an ally, obviously, but anyone around the world. The President's always been open to that. He showed that in the first administration and he's showing it again now," Rubio said.