Reuters reported that Rubio made the remarks on Monday, February 16, during his visit to Budapest, while emphasizing that United States will continue efforts to reach a deal.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, Rubio stressed that the path to an agreement is difficult but Washington remains committed to pursuing it.
He said U.S. negotiators are on their way and meetings are expected to take place. According to him, it remains to be seen what the outcome of the talks will be, but there is hope that an agreement can be achieved.
At the same time as these diplomatic developments, military activity is also underway. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic passage through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
This move comes ahead of a new round of Iran–U.S. negotiations scheduled to take place in Geneva.
Iran’s state television reported that the drills are intended to prepare for “potential security and military threats.” The duration of the exercises has not been announced. Meanwhile, the United States has also deployed substantial naval forces in the region.
Iran has repeatedly warned that it could close the Strait of Hormuz if tensions escalate — a route through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes, meaning any disruption could significantly impact global energy markets.
Meanwhile, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said Tehran is engaging in diplomacy seriously and in good faith. He emphasized that lifting sanctions is inseparable from Iran’s core interests and dismissed rumors about details of the negotiations as unfounded.
In Geneva, a meeting was also held between Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister.
After the meeting, Grossi wrote on X that detailed technical discussions had taken place with the Iranian foreign minister as part of preparations for important talks scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva.
Taken together, these developments indicate that as a new round of negotiations begins, Iran–U.S. relations have entered a sensitive phase — one whose outcome could influence regional dynamics and global energy markets.
