Rubio expresses doubt over Washington’s diplomatic breakthrough with Iran, criticizes Tehran’s ‘ridiculous and really not realistic’ demands

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of making “outrageous and ridiculous” demands as efforts to break the stalemate in the Middle East war remain stalled. Speaking with reporters in Florida, Rubio said the two sides are still far apart after Tehran proposed shortening the timetable for restarting talks from seven days to two. Iran had previously insisted that the U.S. meet its seven demands, including lifting the Navy blockade and paying reparations, before it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough,” Rubio told reporters on Sunday. “The President would always prefer to resolve this and every problem diplomatically. Sometimes that’s not possible, unfortunately.”

In a CNN interview prior to Rubio’s remarks, Trump said a resumption of military action in the more than eight-month conflict was unlikely as long as negotiations continued productively. “It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump said. “The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary. They’re a failing nation.”

The tone has suddenly shifted

However, Rubio struck a different tone from his statement last week, emphasizing that the Trump administration would prefer to resolve the conflict with Iran diplomatically. He added, “Right now it hasn’t been very productive, because the Iranian demands are not just unacceptable but, in some cases, outrageous, ridiculous, and really not realistic.”

Rubio’s remarks followed reports that the U.S. carried out fresh strikes on Iranian air defenses on Qeshm Island after vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz. “If there’s a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have a right to defend ourselves,” Rubio emphasized.

Energy prices fell Monday morning after President Trump said further strikes were “highly unlikely” if negotiations moved toward a strong agreement. Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 0.75% to $97.58 per barrel by 5:25 a.m. ET, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for December delivery slipped 0.42% to $90.45.

Iran’s government said it welcomed U.S. voters’ rejection of Trump’s Republican Party in the midterm election, attributing it to backlash over the war in Iran. After the electoral defeat, Vice President JD Vance blamed the loss on voter anger about the war. Trump said that although he mostly agreed with Vance, he did not regret the decision to go to war against Iran, stating he would do it again.

Meanwhile, Iran has offered to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within two days if the United States meets its conditions. President Trump is scheduled to meet Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House on Monday, according to Axios. Tehran is also reviewing proposals presented by Qatar aimed at addressing differences with Washington, according to the Associated Press.