Rubio sees ‘good signs’ in Iran talks, warns of ‘other options’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Thursday regarding ongoing negotiations with Iran, telling reporters that “there are some good signs” while warning that Washington retains “other options” if diplomacy stalls. “I don’t want to be overly optimistic, as well. So, let’s see what happens over the next few days,” Rubio said, adding that “we’ve made some progress” with a negotiating partner he described as “a system that itself is a little fractured.”

Trump’s preference for a deal

Rubio emphasised that President Donald Trump’s preference is “to do a good deal. It’s always been his preference. If we can get a good deal done, that would be great.” However, he added: “If we can’t get a good deal, the president’s been clear; he has other options. I’m not going to elaborate on what those are, but everybody knows what those are.” The remarks come amid a fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, with the Strait of Hormuz still blocked and a US naval blockade in place since April.

NATO criticism

Ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, Rubio questioned the fundamental rationale for US membership, pointing to allies like Spain denying Washington access to military bases. “When that is the key rationale for why you’re in NATO and then you have countries like Spain denying us the use of these bases, well then why are you in NATO — that’s a very fair question,” he said.