The United States asserted on Monday that it is close to reaching a “fairly solid” agreement with Iran to move towards the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and continue diplomatic negotiations with Tehran, although President Donald Trump avoided raising expectations for an immediate announcement and reaffirmed that he will not sign a “bad deal.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated from New Delhi that Washington has already presented a concrete proposal that would help alleviate part of the regional crisis and reactivate maritime traffic through one of the planet's most important energy routes.
Marco Rubio confirmed progress with Iran
“We have something on the table that, in my opinion, is quite solid in terms of its ability to open the Strait of Hormuz, but also to engage in negotiations about the Iranian nuclear program,” Rubio declared during his official visit to India.
The head of U.S. diplomacy clarified, however, that there are still political and technical issues pending before a definitive understanding.
“We thought we might have news last night or maybe today, but I wouldn’t put too much importance on it,” he added.
Trump tempered expectations for an immediate agreement
Rubio's statements came after Donald Trump lowered the tone regarding the possibility of an imminent announcement with Tehran.
“I have instructed my representatives not to rush (...) because time is on our side,” the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social.
Trump also made it clear that the United States will maintain economic pressure on the Iranian regime as long as there is no definitive agreement.
“The blockade on Iranian ports will remain in full force,” he asserted.
Rubio fully supported that strategy and assured that the Republican administration will not accept rushed concessions.
“The president is not in a hurry. He is not going to make a bad deal and he is not going to sign a bad agreement,” he stated.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the central axis of the conflict
The eventual agreement would allow for the partial or total reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route through which approximately one-fifth of the oil and gas consumed in the world passed before the conflict.
