Rubio warns critical “hours and days” ahead for US-Iran talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said there has been progress toward a potential agreement with Iran, while warning that the coming “hours and days” will determine whether diplomacy succeeds.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on May 27, Rubio said President Donald Trump continues to prioritise a negotiated solution, Fox News reports. 

"The president's preference, Mr. President, your preference is, he told us repeatedly, as always, to negotiate these things and to figure out if you can have agreements," Rubio said. "Diplomacy is always the first option, and we continue to work on that through your envoys, Mr. [Steve] Witkoff and [Jared] Kushner and others."

He added that discussions had shown some movement.

"There's an agreement to be made. We want that to be made. I think there's been some progress and some interest.

"And we'll see over the next few hours and days whether progress could be made."

Rubio also noted that Washington retains alternative options if diplomacy fails, while reaffirming the administration’s position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

"There's an agreement to be made. We want that to be made. I think there's been some progress and some interest."

"And we'll see over the next few hours and days whether progress could be made."

He further emphasised the U.S. position on Iran’s nuclear program, stating:

"Iran and these people in charge of Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and they will never have a nuclear weapon."

By Sabina Mammadli