U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said a deal with Iran remained possible despite fresh American strikes that have cast doubt over a fragile ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in West Asia, as per AFP.
“There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress,” Rubio told reporters during an official visit to Jaipur. “I think it’s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it’ll take a few days.”
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Rubio said President Donald Trump remained committed to securing an agreement with Tehran. “The president’s expressed his desire to make it. He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” he said.
The remarks came after fresh U.S. strikes on Iranian targets raised uncertainty over negotiations that had been underway in Qatar to end the months-long conflict. Senior Iranian negotiators had arrived in Doha for another round of talks focused on a possible ceasefire framework and reopening the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio says Hormuz Strait must reopen
Rubio reiterated that the key global energy corridor must remain operational. “The straits have to be open. They’re going to be open one way or the other, so they need to be open,” he said, calling the blockade “unlawful”, “illegal” and “unsustainable for the world.”
The Strait of Hormuz handles a major share of the world’s oil and gas shipments, and disruptions in the waterway have rattled global energy markets and intensified fears of supply shortages.
US still open to mediating Ukraine war
Separately, Rubio said the United States remained prepared to help mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict despite a renewed wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine.
“Every time you see these big strikes from one side or the other, it’s a reminder of why this is a terrible war that’s now gone on longer than the Second World War, and it needs to come to an end,” Rubio said after speaking with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
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He added that Washington stood “ready and prepared” to facilitate efforts to end the war if an opportunity emerged. Russia had earlier said it planned more strikes on Kyiv, including on what it described as “decision-making centres”.
(With inputs from AFP)
