Rubio said on Wednesday the United States remains willing to negotiate to end the Iran crisis but doubts Tehran is treating talks seriously. He said Washington is ‘‘committed to diplomacy’’ but questioned whether Tehran reciprocates: ‘‘If they take negotiations seriously, we will; if not, we will take necessary measures to protect our interests and those of our allies.’’ Rubio warned Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz, saying that if a state could seize an international waterway, charge

Rubio said on Wednesday the United States remains willing to negotiate to end the Iran crisis but doubts Tehran is treating talks seriously. He said Washington is ‘‘committed to diplomacy’’ but questioned whether Tehran reciprocates: ‘‘If they take negotiations seriously, we will; if not, we will take necessary measures to protect our interests and those of our allies.’’ Rubio warned Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz, saying that if a state could seize an international waterway, charge passage fees or blow up ships that refuse to pay, it would set a very dangerous precedent that could be copied elsewhere.