Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said negotiations with the United States can continue if they serve the national interest. He disclosed that in recent days Iran has received messages from several intermediary countries, without naming them, though Pakistan, Oman, Qatar and others have often acted as intermediaries in communications between the two countries. Baghaei stressed that diplomacy is a tool for implementing policy to safeguard national interests, just as military operations are. The statement is seen as a signal that Iran is keeping diplomatic channels open even as military tensions persist. It came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remains open to seeking a diplomatic solution with Iran.