Iran Must Accept Reality and Negotiate, Says Rubio Amid Nuclear Tensions

Addressing a press briefing, Rubio said US officials are currently working to identify the areas Iran may be open to engaging on, suggesting that any early-stage understanding could begin with broader, high-level parameters rather than a detailed agreement.

He added that the US is focusing on establishing clarity over negotiation topics and possible concessions from Tehran.

"Iran must accept the reality of the situation and come to the negotiation table and accept the terms that are good for it but ultimately good for the world," the US Secretary of State said.

"We don't have to have the actual agreement written out," Rubio further said, adding, "but we have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear about the topics that they are willing to negotiate on and the extent and the concessions they're willing to make at the front end in order to make those talks worthwhile."

The US Secretary of State also questioned Iran's repeated claims that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, alleging contradictions between its statements and its actions. Rubio said that even though Iran has "always said they don't want a nuclear weapon ... they just don't mean it".

He accused Tehran of advancing capabilities that align with a potential weapons programme, including missile development and uranium enrichment infrastructure.

He furiously alleged Tehran was "doing all the things" that a country does if it "wants a nuclear weapons program" and noted Iran's push to innovate "long-range delivery missiles" and its building of underground centrifuges for enrichment activity.

Rubio said that Tehran now has an opportunity to "make it clear" that they do not want a nuclear weapon.

Separately, Rubio warned of severe global consequences if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, noting that Tehran would "hold the world hostage" if they are able to acquire them.

"They would do exactly to the world with a nuclear weapon what they're doing now with the (Strait of Hormuz)," Rubio said.

Iran's nuclear programme has always remained a central issue in ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the US demanding firm limits on enrichment while the Islamic Republic insists it has the right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that his representatives are having "very positive" discussions with Iran, signalling continued diplomatic engagement even as both sides exchange competing proposals on regional tensions.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said his representatives were actively engaged with Tehran and suggested the talks could lead to "something very positive for all".

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that officials are currently assessing a counter-proposal from the United States, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

Speaking at a press conference, Baghaei noted that "the US message was received through Pakistan" and stated that he "will not discuss the details of the issues raised at this time because these issues are still under review."

The spokesperson highlighted the difficulties in the negotiation process, suggesting that the American approach of making "excessive and unreasonable demands" ensures the proposal "is not easy to review."

- ANI