Rubio Says Iran Deal Could Take Days as US Launches Fresh Strikes Amid Fragile Ceasefire
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said negotiations with Iran could still produce a diplomatic breakthrough within “a few days,” even as the United States launched fresh military strikes on Iranian targets in southern Iran during a highly fragile regional ceasefire.
The latest U.S. strikes reportedly targeted Iranian missile-launch positions and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boats accused of laying naval mines near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command described the attacks as “self-defense” operations intended to protect American forces and maintain open international shipping routes through one of the world’s most critical oil corridors.
The military action came while senior Iranian negotiators, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, were participating in high-level talks in Doha with Qatari mediators aimed at preventing a wider Middle East war. Despite the escalation, Rubio insisted diplomacy had not collapsed, though disagreements over the wording and guarantees of a potential agreement remain unresolved.
According to Reuters and other international reports, the proposed framework under discussion could involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz, extending the current ceasefire for 60 days, gradual sanctions relief for Iran, and negotiations concerning Tehran’s nuclear program and frozen overseas assets. However, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly warned that any agreement must be “a great deal or no deal at all,” while also threatening additional military action if negotiations fail.
Iran has meanwhile accused Washington of undermining peace efforts through continued military operations. Tehran claimed it had intercepted hostile American surveillance drones and condemned the strikes as violations of the ceasefire understanding reached earlier this year. Iranian officials continue insisting that sanctions relief and security guarantees must precede any deeper nuclear concessions.
The renewed confrontation has intensified global concerns over energy security and regional stability. Commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly reduced, affecting global oil supply chains and contributing to volatility in fuel and commodity prices worldwide. Analysts warn that even limited military clashes in the region could trigger major disruptions to international energy markets because nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade passes through the narrow waterway.
At the same time, Israel has continued military operations against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, further complicating diplomatic efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly vowed to “crush” Hezbollah despite ongoing international pressure for restraint, while Iran publicly reaffirmed its support for the Lebanese militant group.
Diplomatic observers say the coming days may determine whether the region moves toward a broader settlement or slides back into large-scale conflict. While negotiations remain active, the simultaneous use of military pressure and diplomacy has created an atmosphere of extreme uncertainty across the Middle East.
