Marco Rubio says Iran deal could take days after US strikes

Motorists drive past a large political billboard along Enghelab Square in central Tehran on Tuesday. PIC/AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that negotiating a deal with Iran could "take a few days", quashing hopes for an end to the conflict after US forces conducted "defensive strikes" in southern Iran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they reserved the right to retaliate against any ceasefire violations, while Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said countries in the region could no longer be a shield for US bases.

Both sides had indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and restart shipping through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, while giving negotiators 60 days to negotiate complex issues including Iran's nuclear programme.

Referring to the strikes against targets including boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, Rubio said that the Strait of Hormuz has to be open "one way or the other".

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