US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States has made “significant progress” in negotiations with Iran, signaling that a possible deal to end the war could be announced soon, but cautioned that talks are not yet complete.
Speaking in New Delhi on May 24, Rubio told reporters that although headway had been made, negotiations were still ongoing and no final agreement had been reached.
He added that the world could hear “good news” within hours if discussions continue to advance.
“There is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news,” Rubio stated.
Rubio on Iran War
Rubio stopped short of confirming any deal, instead describing the current stage as the development of an outline that could lead to a broader agreement if both sides accept its terms and follow through on commitments.
The US position, he said, remains unchanged.
The US insists that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and that international shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, must remain open and free from interference.
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Rubio also criticised any disruption to commercial shipping, describing such actions as illegal under international law, underscoring the centrality of maritime access in the ongoing talks.
His remarks come amid a rapid shift in tone over the past two days. Earlier in the week, Rubio had described only “some progress” in negotiations and stressed that the two sides were “not there yet”.
By Saturday, he characterized the movement as limited, referring to “a little bit of movement” in talks.
US-Iran War Progress
The latest shift to “significant progress” marks the strongest indication yet from Washington that negotiations have accelerated, even as the US continues to avoid declaring a final deal.
Rubio said the talks have reached a stage where an outline is in place, but warned that any agreement would still depend on Iran accepting the terms and fully complying with them.
He stressed that the process is complex and involves technical issues that cannot be resolved immediately, particularly on nuclear matters, which require detailed negotiations.
Rubio maintained that the United States would not move forward with any deal that weakens its core demands, describing them as non-negotiable.
He said Washington remains focused on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ensuring that global shipping lanes remain open without restrictions.
Despite the progress, Rubio made it clear that uncertainty remains and that the talks could still fail if key differences are not resolved.
Reports indicate that discussions are centered on a phased approach that would first secure an end to the fighting before moving on to broader issues.
These include the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and a wider framework for addressing Iran’s nuclear program.
However, major sticking points persist, especially around control of the waterway and limits on Iran’s uranium activities.
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Iran has also signaled that disagreements remain, suggesting that the final stages of negotiations could still face obstacles.
The diplomatic effort has drawn in mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, as both sides attempt to bridge remaining gaps.
Why Hormuz Is the Deciding Bargaining Chip
The Strait of Hormuz is the core bargaining chip because it gives Iran direct control over a critical global oil route used by a large share of world energy trade.
Disruptions have sharply reduced shipping and pushed up oil prices, creating immediate global pressure to restore flow.
Iran uses this leverage to demand concessions, while the United States prioritises reopening the waterway and guaranteeing free navigation.
As a result, current negotiations focus first on securing maritime access and halting attacks, making Hormuz the central issue that determines whether a deal is reached or collapses.
