US‑Iran diplomatic talks and escalating threats

In late July 2026 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s willingness to negotiate a non‑nuclear deal with Iran while warning that Tehran’s lack of progress threatens the Strait of Hormuz. He linked stalled talks to recent Houthi attacks that have disrupted two major energy shipping routes, prompting repeated U.S. airstrikes on Iranian missile sites and naval facilities. President Donald Trump echoed these concerns, warning of a direct U.S. response to any Iranian attack on vessels and noting rising global oil prices.

At the ASEAN foreign‑ministers meeting in Manila on July 23, Rubio warned that the “price” Iran pays will increase each night, citing its devastated industrial base, ruined economy, and continued funding of militant groups. Trump said he was close to deciding on a “massive” military operation against Iran, potentially involving Israel. Iran’s foreign minister warned that continued U.S. attacks would raise Washington’s settlement cost, while Iranian state media reported drone and rocket strikes on U.S. bases in Kuwait.

On July 22 Rubio added that Iran was not prepared to conclude a nuclear agreement, but the United States remained ready to negotiate and stressed the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Trump announced he was studying a “largest ever” attack on Iran, noting that Israel could join the operation within minutes, though no final decision had been made. Iranian state media said the IRGC dispatched senior officers, missiles and drones to Yemen to bolster Houthi rebels, heightening threats to Red Sea shipping. Israel’s Mossad reported thwarting an Iranian‑directed plot to recruit foreign operatives for attacks on senior Israeli officials, describing it as part of a broader global campaign against Israel. The rhetoric and proxy actions underscore a rapid escalation in U.S.–Iran tensions and the risk of broader regional conflict.