- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday negotiating a deal with Iran could "take a few days," quashing hopes for an imminent end to the conflict a day after U.S. forces conducted what Washington called defensive strikes in southern Iran.
- Describing the strikes against targets including boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz has to be open "one way or the other."
- Rubio told reporters in New Delhi earlier that the U.S. would give diplomacy every chance to succeed before considering whether to deal with Iran in "another way."
- There was a pretty solid thing on the table, referring to talks over reopening the strait and a "very real, significant, time-limited negotiation" on the nuclear matter.
- Citing a Middle East diplomatic source, Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported the U.S. and Iran were discussing a plan to open the strait about 30 days after reaching a deal to end hostilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that diplomacy with Iran could extend over the next few days, as Washington balances the prospect of military action following recent strikes in southern Iran. The airstrikes targeted boats laying mines and missile sites to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route.123
Rubio emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution, stating, "the U.S. would give diplomacy every chance to succeed before considering whether to deal with Iran in 'another way.'" He noted that there was a "pretty solid thing on the table" regarding discussions over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a time-limited negotiation on nuclear issues.4
According to a report by Japan's Nikkei, the U.S. and Iran are potentially considering a plan to open the strait around 30 days after a deal is reached, indicating a willingness to negotiate even amidst military actions. The recent U.S. strikes were described as defensive measures meant to maintain security in the region. Rubio highlighted that the Strait needs to remain open "one way or the other," underscoring the ongoing tensions in the region and the importance of this strategic passage.5
“U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that negotiating a deal with Iran might take a few days. This statement comes after the U.S. conducted defensive strikes in southern Iran.”
