Washington, May 21: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Thursday that there are “good signs” in the ongoing discussions with Iran. However, he cautioned against having overly high expectations, stating that President Donald Trump still has other options if diplomacy fails.
Speaking to the media in Miami before heading to India, Rubio emphasized that the government prefers negotiation over confrontation. “The President’s choice is to make a good deal. That has always been his preference,” he said, noting some developments in recent contacts with Tehran.
He referred to Iran’s political structure, stating, “I think we have made some progress, but obviously, we are dealing with a system that is somewhat broken.” Rubio also mentioned that regional diplomatic activities related to Pakistan could help advance the talks.
“I believe the Pakistanis will be going to Tehran today, so hopefully, this will further the discussions,” he added. While he did not guarantee any outcomes, he expressed optimism about potential developments.
Additionally, the Secretary of State reiterated the Trump administration’s warnings regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities, stating, “The President has made it clear that he has other options. I won’t elaborate on what they are, but everyone knows what they are.”
Earlier in the discussions, Rubio criticized NATO allies for not doing enough to confront Iran, asserting that many countries agree that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and poses a threat to the world.
He pointed out, “They do not currently have missiles that can reach the United States, but they do have missiles that can reach Europe.” Rubio noted that President Trump has been frustrated with allies who agree with the US assessment of Iran but are unwilling to take action. “If all countries agree that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, but no one steps forward, that is certainly a concern for us,” he said.
Rubio emphasized that diplomacy remains America’s preferred approach, stating, “Their choice is always a deal, their choice is always a compromise, their choice is always diplomacy. So let’s see if we can get there.”
This statement comes amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities, regional militias, and maritime security in West Asia, leading to new diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran.