US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says negotiations with Iran could take days, while Washington launches new strikes in southern Iran, amid ongoing tensions and potential talks in Doha.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has negotiating a deal with Iran could "take a few days," dampening hopes for an immediate resolution to the conflict. This statement came on Tuesday, following US forces' defensive strikes against targets including boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites in southern Iran. Washington described these attacks as necessary measures to protect its troops.
Despite a ceasefire that has been in place since early April, US Central Command reported fresh strikes aimed at safeguarding American personnel from Iranian threats. Meanwhile, Iran claimed it had downed a "hostile" stealth drone using a new air defence system, though the location of this incident remains unclear.
Iran's top negotiator and foreign minister were in Doha for talks with Qatar’s prime minister on potential deals to end the three-month-old war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed that diplomacy would be given every chance before considering alternative approaches. He mentioned a "pretty solid thing on the table," referring to discussions over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a limited nuclear negotiation.
US President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, indicated talks with Iran were progressing well but warned of further attacks if negotiations failed. He emphasized that any deal must be "a Great Deal for all or no deal at all."
These developments come amid heightened tensions in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced intensified strikes against Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, which Israel claims are acts of self-defense despite a ceasefire agreement.
The talks in Doha focused on managing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's uranium stockpile. The potential deal includes discussions about releasing frozen Iranian funds as part of a final agreement. However, specific details regarding strait management were not outlined.
Since February 28 when US and Israeli strikes began, only a fraction of the usual traffic has been passing through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to increased oil prices and higher costs for fuel, fertilizers, and food. The potential deal could significantly impact global trade and economic stability in the region.
Rubio’s cautionary tone suggests that while negotiations are ongoing, they may face significant challenges before a resolution is reached.
