Marco Rubio: 'There Is Progress' on Iran, Expects News 'Later Today'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms progress on a US-Iran peace deal, stating that "good news" could break within hours as negotiations advance.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Sunday that negotiations between the United States and Iran on a deal to end the war are advancing, telling reporters in New Delhi that he expects further news on the matter within hours, while stopping short of addressing specific terms being reported in the press.
"I believe there will be more news on Iran later today," Rubio said in remarks to the media. "I'll leave it to President Trump to address that. I'll just say there is progress. Maybe not enough, but we are getting closer."
"No one has been stronger and tougher on Iran's nuclear issue than him, he is the only one who has done anything."
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio
On the nuclear question, Rubio was emphatic: Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon on Trump's watch. "The goal is that Iran never has a nuclear weapon. That will not happen, at least as long as Trump is president of the United States," he said, defending the administration's record. "No one has been stronger and tougher on Iran's nuclear issue than him, he is the only one who has done anything. You must not underestimate his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He is not going to sign a deal that benefits Iran's military nuclear ambitions."
Rubio also addressed the Strait of Hormuz directly, calling Iran's threats against international shipping unacceptable. "Iran is threatening to destroy ships crossing an international maritime passage and that is inconceivable," he said. "We cannot agree to that precedent." He added that Trump "would prefer the State Department to lead this, not the Defense Department, but a solution will be reached either way."
Rubio's comments come as Trump announced Saturday night on Truth Social that a deal with Iran is "largely negotiated" and will be announced shortly, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's foreign ministry has separately stated that nuclear issues are not part of the current framework and will be addressed in a separate, later phase of talks. Israel has privately described the emerging deal as a "very big problem."