Rubio: There are chances for an agreement with Iran, but if diplomacy is not successful, the US will resort to other options
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that Washington has good chances of reaching an agreement with Iran on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and starting negotiations on the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic.
"In my opinion, we have a fairly reliable [option] regarding their ability to open the strait and begin very serious, meaningful and time-limited negotiations on the nuclear issue. I hope we can do this," he told reporters.
Earlier, Rubio said in an interview with The New York Times that the United States is waiting for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, after which it will be ready to discuss the nuclear issue with Iran.
At the same time, he said that the United States intends to resort to other options for further actions regarding Iran if it considers that diplomatic engagement with Tehran is not yielding the desired results.
"As President [Donald Trump] said, he is in no hurry and will not make a bad deal," noted the head of the U.S. foreign policy department, who is visiting India. "We will give diplomacy a full chance before trying alternative options."
"Either we will have a good deal, or we will have to act differently," Rubio emphasized, referring to further steps by the Washington administration regarding Iran. The secretary of state noted that the parties are still working on possible agreements.
Earlier, Rubio said in an interview with the Indian television channel India Today that the Washington administration allows for the possibility of resuming hostilities against Iran if it does not achieve its goals through negotiations with Tehran.
On February 28, the United States and Israel began a war against Iran. On April 7, the American president announced a two-week mutual ceasefire with the Islamic Republic. On April 11, Tehran and Washington held negotiations in Islamabad, but the parties did not reach an agreement on the issue of a long-term settlement of the conflict due to contradictions. On April 21, the U.S. president announced his intention to extend the ceasefire regime with Iran. On May 19, Trump said that the United States is ready to give diplomacy a chance in the conflict around Iran until the beginning of next week, postponing the resumption of hostilities for this period. On May 23, the American leader noted that the draft of the future agreement with Iran has been generally agreed upon, but the next day he reported that the parties have not yet reached final agreements on some issues.
Source: TASS
