- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran wants U.S. sanctions lifted and the war ended on all fronts before negotiations begin.
- Speaking with reporters in Florida on Sunday evening before traveling to Paris for the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, Rubio indicated the two sides remain far apart on negotiations, after Tehran proposed shortening the timetable for restarting talks from seven days to two.
- Rubio said President Donald Trump would prefer to solve "this and every problem diplomatically", but added that "sometimes that's not possible, unfortunately."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed skepticism about achieving a diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East, citing Iran's "outrageous and ridiculous" demands as a major obstacle.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Rubio noted that negotiations remain stalled, with Tehran proposing to shorten the timeline for talks from seven days to just two.2
He emphasized that while President Donald Trump prefers diplomatic solutions, the current situation is far from productive.3
"I wouldn't say we're on the verge of a breakthrough," Rubio stated, highlighting that Iranian demands are not only unacceptable but also unrealistic.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei reiterated Tehran's position, insisting that the U.S. must lift sanctions and end the war before any negotiations can commence.1
This impasse raises concerns about the future of diplomatic efforts in the region, as both sides appear entrenched in their positions, complicating the path to peace.
“Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran wants U.S. sanctions lifted and the war ended on all fronts before negotiations begin. Rubio, speaking in Florida before the G7 meeting, noted Tehran proposed shortening the restart timetable from seven days to two.”
CNBC
