Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international shipping, calling any disruption “unlawful,” “unsustainable,” and unacceptable for the global economy. He also confirmed that discussions were taking place in Qatar and expressed cautious optimism about making progress.
“The president wants a deal if it is the right deal,” Rubio said, adding that President Trump is prepared to either secure a strong agreement or walk away entirely.
At the same time, U.S. military forces carried out what U.S. Central Command described as “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran. According to military officials, the operation targeted missile launch sites and Iranian vessels allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Central Command, said the strikes were intended to protect American personnel while maintaining restraint during the ongoing cease-fire.
A senior U.S. military official said some American aircraft and naval vessels operating near the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea had been threatened by Iranian surface-to-air missile systems. The strikes reportedly occurred near Bandar Abbas, a major Iranian port and naval base.
The military action came as Iranian officials were meeting in Qatar for negotiations aimed at bringing the war to an end. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei acknowledged that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on many issues but cautioned that a final agreement was not yet close.
“It is correct to say that progress has been made on many topics,” Baqaei said. “However, no one can claim that a final agreement is imminent.”
President Trump stated that any deal reached with Iran would be a “good and proper” one. He also criticized the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under President Barack Obama, arguing that it failed to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities.
According to a senior administration official, Iran has indicated a willingness to eliminate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Discussions are also reportedly focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the U.S. blockade. While negotiators continue working through the details, administration officials believe Iran is showing greater flexibility than before recent military operations and are seeking enforceable long-term restrictions on uranium enrichment.
