Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Wednesday that Iran has requested a change of venue for talks with its US counterparts, following several reports on the matter.
“We thought we had an established forum that was agreed upon in Turkey. It was put together by a number of partners who wanted to be there and wanted to be part of it,” Rubio said Wednesday as he took questions from reporters.
“I saw conflicting reports yesterday from the Iranian side saying that they had not agreed to that. So that is still a work in progress. Ultimately, the United States is willing to engage with Iran, and has always been willing to engage with Iran.”
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the first Critical Minerals Ministerial in the Loy Henderson Conference Room in the Harry S. Truman Building of the Department of State on February 4, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Rubio would not say what issues agreement had been reached. Instead, he set out issues that, in his opinion, should be discussed to ensure that the meeting “actually leads to something meaningful.” Topics on Rubio’s list include the range of Iran’s ballistic missiles, its sponsorship of terrorist organizations, its nuclear program and the treatment of the Iranian people.
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
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The secretary also spoke about the anti-regime protests that have been raging in Iran since late December. As the demonstrations began, President Donald Trump said the US would act if protesters were met with violence. Rubio attributed Trump’s harsh words to the cancellation of the executions of protesters, something the regime has denied.
“The Iranian people and the Iranian regime are very similar,” Rubio said. “Iran’s leadership at a spiritual level does not reflect the people of Iran. I don’t know of any other country where there is a greater difference between the people who lead the country and the people who live there.”
President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of possible US action against Iran. (Iranian news agency leader/Anadolu via Getty Images; Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Rubio said the Islamic regime is unable to solve the economic problems plaguing its people because Iranian leaders use the country’s money and resources to sponsor terrorism and proxy groups around the world.
The state tax building burned down during Iran’s protests, on a street in Tehran, Iran, January 19, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
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Iran later claimed the drone was conducting surveillance as part of a “routine and lawful mission over international waters.”
