Rubio stated that a deal with Iran is possible on Monday
Kyiv • UNN
Marco Rubio announced the possible signing of an agreement with Iran to end the war. The document is 95% ready and provides for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could be reached "today," UNN reports, citing The Guardian.
Details
His comments came after oil prices fell and Asian stocks rose earlier that day amid optimism that the US and Iran are close to a deal that could provide a final end to the three-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices hit a two-week low, with Brent crude futures falling 4.5% to $98.83 a barrel by 23:50 GMT.
Oil prices fell by more than 4% amid expectations of a US-Iran deal25.05.26, 04:58 • 3352 views
"We thought last night, maybe today, we might have some news – I wouldn't read too much into it," Rubio said in New Delhi regarding a potential deal.
"We have, in my opinion, a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open the straits," he said. "It has a lot of support in the Persian Gulf."
Rubio added, however, that Israel has the right to defend itself against attack.
"If Hezbollah is going to launch missiles or is launching missiles at them, Israel has every right to respond to that or prevent it," the US Secretary of State said. "That has always been understood. It was understood during the truce."
Rubio's remarks came after US President Donald Trump tempered expectations for a deal, saying Sunday that he told his negotiators to "take their time." Negotiations with Iran are "proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner," the US President stated.
Middle East officials told the Associated Press on Sunday that the US is close to reaching a deal with Iran that would end the war and reopen the strait, a vital conduit for global energy supplies.
As of Sunday, the framework agreement with Iran was "95% complete," officials told Fox News, although they said negotiators are still haggling over "wording" detailing Tehran's nuclear arsenals and the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, Trump said the US blockade of Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would "remain in full force until a deal is reached, certified, and signed." "Both sides should take their time and get it right," he added.
As details of a possible deal emerged over the weekend, critics, including Trump's former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said it offered little compared to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal brokered by former US President Barack Obama, which Trump withdrew from during his first term.
Chris Van Hollen, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the reported outlines of the deal would be nothing more than a "pre-war status quo" with Iran.
Trump stated that the US will not "rush into a deal" with Iran24.05.26, 19:10 • 5538 views