Marco Rubio Iran Deal: Hormuz To Be Reopened After US Strikes on Iranian Boats
Marco Rubio Iran deal: US Secretary of State Rubio said he was confident about the ongoing talks with Iran to end the West Asia conflict, even after the recent US strike on boats near Bandar Abbas. He added that it might take a few days to agree on the exact wording of the deal with Tehran.
Marco Rubio Iran Deal: US Secretary of State Stresses on Reopening of Strait of Hormuz
Stressing on the Strait of Hormuz to remain open, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio said , "The straits have to be open.’’
According to him, reopening is considered necessary, as the ongoing situation is being described as unlawful and unacceptable.
He made these comments to reporters while flying from Jaipur, India.
US-Iran conflict: Rubio said it was still possible to reach a deal with Iran, even though recent American strikes have raised doubts about the fragile ceasefire.
He also pointed out that talks were held in Qatar today, and progress is expected to become clearer in the coming days as discussions over the wording continue.
West Asia Conflict: Doha Talks Begin Amid Strait of Hormuz Crisis and Rising Oil Prices
US-Iran negotiations: The strikes took place as top Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for the latest round of talks to end the months-long conflict.
The conflict led Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy exports, which caused prices to rise and affected the global economy.
US Strikes on Iran Latest Updates: US Military Hits Missile Sites and Boats in Southern Iran
US forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats that were “trying to lay mines” on Monday, according to US Central Command. These actions put a fragile ceasefire at risk, which had kept the region mostly peaceful.
Self-defence strikes were carried out by US forces in southern Iran to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces, according to US Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins.
The statement did not provide details about the attacks and only said that the targets included missile launch sites and boats trying to "emplace mines."
Iran's state-run broadcaster IRIB reported that several loud explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas around midnight local time (2030 GMT Monday).
The broadcaster said the situation in the southern port city was normal and that local authorities were investigating the cause of the blasts.
Rubio Recent Visit to Taj Mahal
Marco Rubio made his first trip to India, where he and his wife Jeanette spent 45 minutes visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra. Jeanette, who usually stays out of the public eye, joined him for the visit.
As temperatures reached 40°C, Rubio removed his tie and put his arm around Jeanette, who wore a flowing dress and heels. They took photos together on the same bench where Princess Diana was famously photographed alone in 1992.
Sergio Gor, who previously worked with Donald Trump, joined the couple for pictures.
The street leading to the Taj Mahal, which is usually crowded, was cleared for Rubio’s visit. Other tourists were kept 100 meters away. This was only a partial closure, unlike the complete shutdown during Vice President JD Vance’s visit.
While at the Taj Mahal, Rubio noticed Persian influences in the domes and the four-way charbagh gardens, both features of Persian architecture.
The monument was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth.
Outing is unusual for Rubio, who usually takes short, business-focused trips and rarely goes to events outside official meetings during his year and a half in office.
US Pushes Stronger India Partnership as Marco Rubio Attends Quad Meeting in New Delhi
Rubio explained that he was taking advantage of a one-day break before a Quad meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, which brings together Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. On Monday, he also visited Jaipur to see the Amber Fort, hoping to strengthen ties with India.
Previous US administrations viewed India as a key partner in a world influenced by China’s rise.
The current administration has shifted this approach by temporarily imposing high tariffs, improving relations with both China and Pakistan, limiting visas for Indian professionals, and reposting offensive language about Indian immigrants.
Trump addressed a celebration in New Delhi for the 250th anniversary of US independence by speakerphone, telling the crowd, "We've never been closer to India, and India can count on me 100 per cent."
