By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON -  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains prepared to pursue a negotiated settlement with Iran despite ongoing military operations, as US forces carried out a ninth consecutive night of strikes on targets inside the country.

Speaking to reporters upon returning from a trip to the Middle East late Sunday, Rubio said diplomacy remains an option but stressed that any agreement would require Iran to fully honor its commitments.

"The United States is still open to a diplomatic solution with Iran," Rubio said, adding that any deal "has to be real" and must be one "they're willing to live by."

Rubio accused Tehran of failing to uphold understandings related to maritime security, claiming Iran had been expected to publicly commit to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and halt attacks on commercial shipping.

"Instead of doing that, they attacked three ships," Rubio said. "Their behavior has to change in order for ours to change."

The comments come as military exchanges between Washington and Tehran continue despite ongoing indirect diplomatic contacts through regional mediators.

Rubio points to divisions within Iran

Rubio also suggested there were competing factions within Iran's leadership, saying some officials favor continued confrontation while others are more concerned about the country's economic future.

He expressed hope that those advocating engagement and economic recovery would ultimately have greater influence over Tehran's decision-making.

"If the guys that want to do something productive for Iran win and take control of that system or take control of the negotiations, that'll be a very positive development," he said.

Zarif urges renewed diplomacy

Meanwhile, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif argued that only diplomacy can bring lasting stability, warning that military pressure alone cannot resolve the conflict.

Writing in an essay published by Foreign Policy magazine, Zarif said the current crisis demonstrated that Washington could not achieve its objectives through force.

"As the current conflict makes clear, Washington cannot eliminate the Iranian government," Zarif wrote. "Only diplomacy, a new peace agreement, and a new security framework produced by regional states and for regional states will allow the United States to turn its attention elsewhere."

At the same time, Zarif cautioned Tehran against repeatedly threatening international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying such actions risk alienating much of the international community.

Conflict continues

Iranian authorities said Sunday that the latest wave of US strikes had killed at least 50 people and wounded 517 others, although the figures could not be independently verified.

Since the conflict began on Feb. 28, US officials have reported that 17 American service members have been killed in attacks linked to the fighting.

The conflict has entered a new phase after the collapse of a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire framework signed in June. Although indirect diplomatic contacts continue through intermediaries, both sides have continued military operations while accusing each other of violating the terms of the agreement.