US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said that an announcement was possible later in the day over a peace deal with Iran that could formally end the war in West Asia.
Rubio, who is on his first visit to India, said the emerging deal would address US concerns on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked in response to the US-Israeli attack.
"I do think perhaps there is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news," Rubio told reporters in New Delhi.
The agreement would also start a "process that can ultimately leave us where the president wants us to be, and that is a world that no longer has to fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon", he added.
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said a proposal that included opening the Strait of Hormuz had been "largely negotiated".
"An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Notably, on Saturday, Rubio had reiterated Washington’s hardline position that Tehran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
"There’s been some progress made. Even as I speak to you, there’s some work being done. This issue needs to be solved, as the President said, one way or the other. Iran can never have nuclear weapons," he said.
The top American diplomat added that Washington’s conditions extended to specific nuclear constraints and regional security concerns.
"The straits need to be opened without tolls. They need to turn over their highly enriched uranium… we need to address the issue of enrichment," Rubio said, outlining the administration’s firm negotiating posture.
