Iran has received proposals from mediators about resuming negotiations with the United States, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on Monday.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said the country would continue to defend itself resolutely.

“I emphasise once again that the diplomatic apparatus continues to pursue its tasks jointly and in line with the defenders of the homeland in the armed forces.

“The proposals submitted through mediators have been communicated to us and have been received,” he said.

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has flared up again, with the U.S. military concluding its ninth consecutive night of attacks on Iran early on Monday.

Iran has been responding with attacks on countries hosting U.S. military bases in the region.

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, recently said the U.S. is still willing to hold talks with Iran. “We are always open to diplomacy,” he said.

He also added that it has to be a deal that they’re willing to live by.

“We have tried multiple times with Iran, and we’ll continue to try. If that door opens, we will be happy to see it open,” he said.

Mr Rubio made the statement before departing for a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers.

(dpa/NAN)