INTRO: ‘The US ill continue giving negotiations every opportunity to succeed before deciding on any further course of action’
Dubai
The United States and Iran on Monday signalled a quick resolution to their three-month-long conflict remains unlikely despite ongoing diplomatic discussions aimed at reducing tensions in the Gulf region.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains committed to diplomacy but also made it clear that alternative measures remain under consideration if talks fail.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Rubio said the United States would continue giving negotiations every opportunity to succeed before deciding on any further course of action.
Rubio stated that discussions had produced a solid proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating conditions for a significant time-limited negotiation process on Iran’s nuclear activities. He expressed cautious optimism that both sides might still be able to reach an agreement capable of lowering tensions in the region.
United States President Donald Trump also tempered expectations regarding the negotiations. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said any eventual agreement would need to be great and meaningful, otherwise there would be no agreement at all. He had earlier stated that he instructed American negotiators not to rush into a deal with Tehran.
Iran also adopted a cautious tone regarding the progress of the talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said several topics had been resolved during discussions, but emphasized that this did not mean a final agreement was close. According to Baghaei, the proposed memorandum of understanding currently under discussion contains 14 points mainly focused on ending the conflict and lifting the United States naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Under the proposed arrangement, Iran would reportedly take steps to ensure safe maritime transit through the strategic waterway in exchange for easing military pressure and ending the blockade. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes for global energy supplies, making stability in the region a major international concern.
Baghaei further explained that the present negotiations are not directly focused on Iran’s nuclear programme. Instead, nuclear discussions would begin during a separate 60-day negotiation period if the broader framework agreement is accepted by both sides.
Trump has repeatedly stated that his primary objective is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons using its enriched uranium programme. Iranian authorities, however, continue to deny allegations that they are pursuing nuclear arms and insist that their nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes.
Meanwhile, Trump reiterated that the United States naval blockade on Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would remain fully operational until any agreement is formally finalized, verified, and signed by both parties.