Trump would meet Khamenei for talks, says Rubio

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Trump is willing to meet directly with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to solve the nuclear standoff, despite Trump’s fundamental disagreements with the Iranian leader.
• While offering talks, the US has simultaneously deployed a second aircraft carrier to the region and maintains a "red line" policy that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that President Donald Trump is open to direct talks with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

This statement comes as diplomatic efforts to address Iran's nuclear program continue, despite recent military posturing by Washington.

During an interview with Bloomberg, Rubio expressed confidence in Trump's willingness to engage at the highest levels.

"I'm pretty confident in saying that if the Ayatollah said tomorrow he wanted to meet with President Trump, the president would meet him, not because he agrees with the Ayatollah, but because he thinks that's the way you solve problems in the world." Rubio said.

The context for these overtures is rooted in heightened US-Iran tensions, primarily centered on Tehran's nuclear ambitions and uranium enrichment activities.

Iran has rejected limits on its enrichment program, prompting warnings from the US about potential consequences if diplomacy fails.

Rubio reiterated that Iran would never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons, citing threats to regional and global security, including to Europe and US allies in the Middle East.

In response to these developments, the United States has bolstered its military presence in the region by deploying a second aircraft carrier.