WEB DESK: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that a potential agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran could still be reached soon, suggesting that progress in negotiations remained possible despite ongoing differences.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi before departing for Agra during his official visit to India, Rubio said there had been expectations of a breakthrough over the weekend and indicated that developments could still emerge at any moment.
“We believed there could have been progress last night, and it may still happen today,” Rubio said, while cautioning against reading too much into the timing of negotiations.
He added that the proposed framework regarding the reopening of key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, had received strong backing from Gulf nations and was viewed as an important step toward regional stability.
Rubio also expressed optimism that Tehran would engage in what he described as “serious and time-bound” discussions over its nuclear programme.
His remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump signalled a more cautious approach, saying on Sunday that American negotiators had been instructed not to rush into an agreement.
Defending Trump’s position, Rubio said the US president was focused on securing a durable and effective deal rather than moving hastily toward an arrangement that might not succeed.
The latest diplomatic efforts follow months of tensions after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran across the region. A ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has been in place since April 8.
Rubio also reiterated support for Israel’s right to respond to security threats, saying any attacks launched by Hezbollah would justify defensive measures by Israel, even under ceasefire conditions.
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