U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that the United States and Iran may need 'a few more days' to finalize an agreement to end the ongoing military conflict between the two nations, which has persisted for three months. Rubio made these comments at the conclusion of a four-day visit to India, where he discussed the war's effects on global energy prices with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that President Trump is committed to either achieving a favorable deal or no deal at all.
Rubio's remarks followed recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, which U.S. Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins characterized as defensive actions necessary to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. The strikes targeted missile sites and ships involved in laying mines, and Rubio connected these actions to U.S. efforts to ensure safe maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for about 20% of the world's oil and natural gas. He stated that the strait must remain open and free of tolls, emphasizing the urgency of this issue once an agreement is reached.
The White House had previously expressed optimism regarding the negotiations with Iran, with President Trump indicating that the talks were progressing well and that the agreement was 'largely negotiated.' Additionally, Rubio addressed recent developments in Ukraine, including warnings from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the risks in Kyiv, confirming that the U.S. diplomatic staff had been alerted to the heightened danger but did not specify if evacuations were underway.
