U.S. Says Open to Talks With Iran as Military Completes 11th Consecutive Night of Strikes

Iran warned that any U.S. strike on its nuclear sites would vastly expand the conflict, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to negotiations if Tehran 'is serious'

July 22nd, 11AM July 22nd, 11AM

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington remains open to negotiations with Iran after the two countries exchanged fire for the 11th consecutive night.

"If they're serious, we're serious. If they're not, then we will do what's necessary to protect our interests, and also the interests of our allies," Rubio said during a meeting with Southeast Asian counterparts in Manila, where regional leaders voiced concern over the renewed fighting in the Middle East.

Hours earlier, U.S. Central Command said it targeted Iran's military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities and military logistics infrastructure during its overnight strikes.

CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to "further degrade" Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of attacking more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.

"The unwarranted attacks have endangered hundreds of innocent mariners and undermined freedom of navigation," the command said.

Iranian state media reported that air defense activity in western, eastern and northeastern Tehran had been activated.

Early Wednesday, Iran's army said it had attacked U.S. targets at Camp Doha in Kuwait with drones several hours earlier, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

Iran's top military command also warned that any U.S. strike on the country's nuclear sites would lead to an "expansion of war" across the region, adding that all U.S. and allied interests would become targets.

The warning came after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would strike the Pickaxe Mountain area "pretty soon."

The underground site near the Natanz nuclear facility has drawn renewed attention after the Wall Street Journal reported this week that Israeli intelligence suspects Iran transferred thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges there following last year's war. Israeli officials told the newspaper they believe further military action may be needed to target the site.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers Tuesday that the U.S. war in Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, including projected costs through September 30 – nearly $8 billion more than the previous public estimate.

Earlier Tuesday night, before the latest U.S. strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted tactical radar systems near Ali al-Salem Air Base and on Bubiyan Island in Kuwait.

Bloomberg News also reported Tuesday that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had approved the use of British military bases for some U.S. strikes on Iran, which the United Kingdom describes as defensive operations.