US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that progress in ongoing talks with Iran has not been significantly fruitful, noting that reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran may not be possible at present. He made these remarks to journalists in Florida, before heading to the French capital, Paris, to attend a meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers.
Stalled Negotiations and Iranian Conditions
Rubio added that President Donald Trump always prefers to resolve this issue and any other through diplomatic means, but he pointed out that this is not always possible. He affirmed that the US administration is open to diplomatic initiatives, but described Iran's demands as exaggerated and absurd, stressing that current negotiations have not yielded the desired results.
Iran had previously presented seven conditions through intermediary countries to resume negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including the lifting of US sanctions, release of frozen assets, ending the naval blockade, and paying war compensation. These demands come amid continued stagnation in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the tensions between the two sides.
Military Escalation and Defense of Positions
Regarding the possibility of the US launching new military attacks, Rubio affirmed that Washington's movements are defensive and relate to threats targeting US forces and maritime navigation. He stated that Washington has the right to defend itself in the event of a clear and imminent threat to US forces in the region or to maritime navigation.
Rubio defended Trump's stance on the war with Iran, noting that the US President saw a real threat in Iran's attempts to acquire nuclear weapons and moved to prevent it, despite the step lacking popularity. It is recalled that the US and Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28, before reaching a ceasefire in April, and then confrontations between Washington and Tehran resumed in July.
Regional and International Context
Tensions in the region continue amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war, raising international concerns. Rubio's statement comes as the US moves towards extensive international consultations in Paris, where US officials seek to coordinate their positions with European allies regarding the Iranian file and recent military developments.
Future of Bilateral Relations
Recent developments indicate the difficulty of returning to the negotiating table in the near future, especially with the US hardening its stance towards Iranian demands. The future of relations between the two countries remains suspended between the option of continued military escalation or attempting to find a new diplomatic exit, despite skepticism about its current feasibility.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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