US Secretary of State Discusses Ongoing Iran Negotiations During India Visit

Progress on Iran Negotiations

During his visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, emphasizing that efforts are underway to establish a peace agreement. He reassured that President Donald Trump is committed to avoiding unfavorable deals. "We are still making progress... There is a solid proposal regarding the reopening of the straits and engaging in meaningful, time-limited discussions on nuclear issues. We hope to achieve this," Rubio stated while speaking to the media in the capital before heading to Agra.

Rubio clarified that Trump is not rushing the negotiations, underscoring the goodwill and backing from Gulf partners. "As the president mentioned, he is not in a hurry and will not settle for a bad deal. We will exhaust diplomatic avenues before considering other options," he remarked, adding, "We aim for a favorable agreement, or we will have to address the situation differently." Earlier, Trump indicated that any future talks with Tehran would significantly differ from those conducted during Barack Obama's administration. He criticized the previous administration for offering considerable financial relief while allowing Iran to maintain a pathway to nuclear armament, labeling his approach as the "exact opposite" and noting that negotiations are still ongoing. Trump reiterated that the US will not hastily finalize a deal with Iran and confirmed that the blockade on Iranian ports will remain in full effect until a formal agreement is reached, certified, and signed by both parties.

(With agency inputs)