Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict have shown slight signs of progress, though he cautioned that the situation remains highly uncertain.
Speaking about ongoing back-channel negotiations, Rubio said there has been some movement in recent discussions, but he warned against interpreting that as a breakthrough. “I don’t want to exaggerate it, but there’s been a little bit of movement, and that’s good,”
Rubio stated. He added that while any positive development is welcome, the United States is far from celebrating. “I’m not popping champagne yet,” he said, emphasizing that the path toward de-escalation remains difficult and fragile.
According to Rubio, Washington is carefully monitoring the talks and does not want to create unrealistic expectations.
He stressed that diplomatic opportunities can be short-lived and that all sides must act quickly if they hope to prevent the conflict from worsening.
Pakistan is reportedly playing an important role in the mediation effort. Security sources indicate that Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, is expected to visit Tehran in the coming days for discussions with Iranian officials. Islamabad has maintained communication with both Washington and Tehran and is seeking to preserve channels for dialogue at a time when direct engagement remains limited.
One of the most contentious issues under discussion is Iran’s reported proposal for a “tolling system” in the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal would potentially require payments from ships passing through the strategic waterway. Rubio rejected the concept outright, describing it as unacceptable and warning that such a measure could undermine any progress achieved through diplomacy.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, carrying approximately one-fifth of global oil exports. Any disruption to shipping in the region could have serious consequences for energy markets, international trade, and economic stability, making the ongoing negotiations a matter of global concern.
