Marco Rubio Says US-Iran Deal Could Come Monday

Marco Rubio says negotiators from the United States and Iran may reach an agreement as early as Monday, describing ongoing talks as having “a pretty solid thing on the table”.

Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said discussions were still continuing but progress had been made.

The remarks came after Donald Trump said he had instructed negotiators “not to rush into a deal”, despite earlier suggesting an agreement was close.

According to reports, the proposed arrangement would include a 60-day ceasefire extension, the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Rubio said the discussions involved Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global shipping route through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.

Markets reacted positively to the reports, with oil prices falling sharply while Asian stock markets rose amid hopes of easing tensions in the region.

However, Rubio cautioned against assuming an agreement was guaranteed, noting that Washington was still awaiting a formal response from Tehran.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said over the weekend that both sides were simultaneously “very close and very far” from reaching a deal.

US media reports suggest the proposed agreement would not represent a final settlement but rather a temporary framework, leaving major issues for later negotiations. These include sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and US demands aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities.

The reported deal has also exposed divisions among Republicans in Washington.

Ted Cruz criticised the proposal as “a disastrous mistake”, while Roger Wicker argued that a ceasefire would undermine the impact of Operation Epic Fury.

Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, also voiced concerns about any agreement that could leave Iran appearing dominant in the region.

“It makes one wonder why the war started to begin with,” Graham said.