25 May,2026 01:48 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Marco Rubio. Pic/AFP
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday said Washington has made "significant progress" in negotiations with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though he stressed that President Donald Trump remains cautious and will not accept what he described as a "bad deal".
Rubio's remarks came during his ongoing four-day visit to India amid reports that the United States and Iran are exploring a preliminary arrangement aimed at reopening the crucial shipping route before moving towards a broader agreement on nuclear and regional issues.
Speaking to reporters before leaving for Agra, Rubio said discussions between the two sides were continuing and that there were expectations of possible developments soon.
"Work is still in progress. We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today," Rubio said.
He indicated that a framework was being discussed under which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen while negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme would continue under a time-bound arrangement.
"We have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of getting the Strait open and entering into a very real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matters," Rubio said.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes, with nearly one-fifth of global energy supplies passing through the route under normal conditions.
Shipping disruptions began after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks and escalating tensions across West Asia.
Although a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8, shipping movement through the Strait continues to face disruptions.
Rubio said many countries support efforts to restore stability and ensure uninterrupted maritime trade in the region.
Rubio said President Trump was committed to diplomacy but would not enter into an agreement that compromises US interests.
"As the President said, he's not in a hurry; he's not going to make a bad deal," Rubio stated.
He added that the US would continue giving diplomacy "every chance to succeed" before considering alternative options.
Rubio also reiterated Washington's long-standing position that Iran should never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
"No one has been more serious about the threat of a nuclear Iran than President Trump has been," he said.
The US Secretary of State expressed confidence that negotiations would either lead to a strong agreement or compel the US to pursue other measures.
Rubio also addressed questions regarding the situation in Lebanon and tensions involving Hezbollah.
He said the United States has been engaged in regular discussions involving the Lebanese and Israeli governments under an existing 45-day ceasefire arrangement.
According to Rubio, the primary obstacle to long-term peace in Lebanon remains Hezbollah, which he described as an Iranian proxy group.
He referred to a recent Hezbollah statement calling for the overthrow of the Lebanese government and said such developments complicate peace efforts in the region.
Rubio added that Israel has the right to defend itself if faced with attacks or missile threats from Hezbollah.
The US Secretary of State also spoke about his plans to visit the Taj Mahal during his India trip, describing it as one of the wonders of the world.
Rubio said visiting important cultural landmarks was a way of showing respect to the countries he visits.
After Agra, Rubio is expected to travel to Jaipur before returning to New Delhi for the meeting of Quad foreign ministers scheduled on Tuesday.
He described India as a country with deep history, cultural diversity and significant global importance.
(With inputs from PTI)
