Backchannel Talks On, Trump Prefers Diplomacy: US Secretary Of State Rubio On Iran War

Last Updated:March 30, 2026, 19:50 IST

Marco Rubio says Trump prefers diplomacy with Iran, confirms backchannel talks, criticises Tehran for funding militant groups, signals openness to regime change

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said President Donald Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran, even as fighting continues across the region.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio indicated that backchannel communication between Washington and Tehran is ongoing, primarily through intermediaries.

“There are direct messages and talks taking place between parties inside Iran and the United States, primarily through intermediaries," Rubio said.

He stressed that diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred path. “President Trump always prefers diplomacy and always prefers to reach a result, and we could have done that before," Rubio added.

At the same time, Rubio criticised Iran’s leadership, accusing it of diverting national resources toward regional militant groups instead of domestic development.

“The Iranian regime has chosen to spend its country’s wealth to support Hezbollah, Hamas, and Shia militias inside Iraq and to needlessly threaten its neighbours," he said.

Rubio also hinted at Washington’s openness to political change in Iran, saying the US would welcome leadership with a different vision for the country.

“We would always welcome a scenario in which Iran is led by people with a different vision for the future, and if such an opportunity arises we will seize it," he said.

His remarks come at a time when both military escalation and diplomatic messaging are unfolding simultaneously, underscoring the complex and uncertain trajectory of the US-Iran conflict.

News world Backchannel Talks On, Trump Prefers Diplomacy: US Secretary Of State Rubio On Iran War

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