Iran Talks Show Promise, But Alternatives Still Available
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday stated that despite ‘good signs’ in Iran talks, ‘other options’ remain on the table. Exercising caution against excessive optimism, Rubio stated on Thursday that while Pakistan and other regional allies are diligently pursuing a diplomatic resolution regarding Iran, with some officials making their way to Tehran today, Washington stands prepared with alternative plans. “The president’s preference is to do a good deal. That’s his preference. It’s always been his preference. If we can get a good deal done, that would be great,” he said. “But if we can’t get a good deal, the president’s been clear he has other options.”
Rubio stated that Iran’s plan to toll the Strait of Hormuz would render the deal ‘unfeasible.’ Speaking in Florida, Rubio reiterated his condemnation of Tehran’s attempts to gain financially from its control over the vital waterway. “No one in the world is in favour of a tolling system. It can’t happen. It would be unacceptable,” he said. “It would make a diplomatic deal unfeasible if they were to continue to pursue that.” However, the secretary of state noted that there were “good signs” in the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, despite weeks of back-and-forth regarding a sustainable resolution to the conflict between the longstanding adversaries.
“I don’t want to get ahead of it … I think we’ve made some progress,” Rubio said. “But obviously we’re dealing with a system that itself is a little fractured.” Discussing Cuba, he remarked that the Trump administration is eager to pursue a diplomatic resolution to its conflicts with the Cuban government, yet does not harbour much optimism regarding the possibility of success. His remarks suggest the possibility of military action against Cuba, especially following the indictment this week of former President Raul Castro on terrorism charges.
“The president’s preference is always a negotiated agreement that’s peaceful,” Rubio told before departing Miami for a trip to Sweden and India. “That’s always our preference. That remains our preference with Cuba. I’m just being honest with you. You know, the likelihood of that happening, given who we’re dealing with right now, is not high.” He added that “our preference in Cuba and anywhere in the world is a negotiated diplomatic settlement.”
