US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said “significant progress” has been made in diplomatic efforts involving the US and Iran, while hinting that there could be “good news” regarding the Strait of Hormuz in the coming hours.
Addressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, Rubio said there was a possibility that developments related to the strategic waterway and broader negotiations with Iran could emerge later in the day.
“I do think perhaps there is the possibility that over the next few hours the world will get some good news, at least with regards to the straits and with regards to a process that can ultimately leave us where the president wants us to be and that is a world that no longer has to be in fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon,” Rubio said.
He, however, clarified that while progress had been made, negotiations were still incomplete. “Some progress has been made. I don’t want to downplay that. But I also want to caveat it by saying we still have some work to do,” he added.
Reiterating US President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear programme, Rubio said Washington’s ultimate objective remained ensuring that Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons.
“The goal here ultimately is that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The President has been clear about that,” Rubio said, adding that Trump’s commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities “shouldn’t be questioned by anybody”.
Rubio stressed that the US and its Gulf partners had been working over the past 48 hours on a framework aimed at ensuring completely open access to the Strait of Hormuz without tolls.
“This is an international waterway. They don’t own it. What they are doing now is basically threatening commercial vessels using an international waterway,” Rubio said.
He added that Washington preferred a diplomatic solution over military action. “The president would much rather have me and the Department of State solve this problem than the Department of War having to solve this problem,” Rubio remarked.
According to Rubio, any agreement would require “full Iranian acceptance and compliance” and would involve detailed technical negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Praising Trump’s handling of the issue, Rubio claimed several previous US presidents had pledged to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but said only Trump had “actually done anything about it in a real way”.
“I don’t think anyone’s been tougher on the Iranian nuclear ambition than President Trump,” Rubio said.
-IANS
