Marco Rubio: Major US-Iran Deal Expected Within Next Few Hours

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has provided a significant update regarding the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, suggesting that a major breakthrough could be announced within the next few hours. Rubio, who is currently on a four-day official visit to India, shared these insights during a joint press conference with India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. According to Rubio, the discussions held over the last 48 hours have shown substantial progress, particularly concerning the resolution of issues surrounding the Hormuz Strait. This statement aligns with recent comments made by US President Donald Trump, who indicated that Washington and Tehran are nearing the finalization of a comprehensive deal.

Trump Signals Final Stages of Negotiations

President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account to provide details on the potential US-Iran agreement. He stated that talks aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Hormuz Strait have reached their final stages. Trump emphasized that the concluding points of the agreement are currently under discussion and an official announcement could be made shortly. While the President expressed optimism about the deal, he didn't specify the exact terms or additional conditions that might be included in the final document. The focus remains on stabilizing the region and ensuring the free flow of maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

The Uranium Enrichment Controversy

Amidst the reports of a potential deal, a report by the New York Times claimed that Iran has agreed to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while citing US officials, the report suggested that Iran has agreed in principle to remove its highly enriched uranium stocks. According to the report, detailed discussions on this specific issue are expected to take place over the next 30 to 60 days. The United States has long maintained that Iran must limit its nuclear program to prevent the development of nuclear weapons.

However, this claim was later contested by a senior Iranian official, while speaking to Reuters, the official stated that the preliminary agreement currently being drafted doesn't include the nuclear issue. The official explicitly clarified that Iran has not given any consent to send its highly enriched uranium out of the country. According to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran currently possesses approximately 400 kg of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, which is considered very close to weapons-grade levels.

UK Prime Minister Demands Unconditional Reopening of Hormuz

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also weighed in on the developing situation, while starmer stated that any agreement between the United States and Iran must include the unconditional and unrestricted reopening of the Hormuz Strait. Taking to the social media platform X, Starmer welcomed the progress made toward a deal between the two nations, while he emphasized that such an agreement should effectively end the conflict and ensure that the Hormuz Strait is fully operational once again. On top of that, Starmer reiterated the international community's stance that Iran should never be permitted to develop nuclear weapons.