Trump is not in a hurry. Rubio talks about "alternatives" to negotiations
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday, May 25, 2026, that a deal to end the war with Iran could be achieved "today", stressing that Israel has the right to defend itself against any attack.
Rubio said as he left New Delhi that the deal has great support in the Gulf, saying, "Every country we have reviewed with understands that it is not only reasonable, but the right thing to do for the world."
He expressed confidence that Iran will engage in "really important, time-bound negotiations on the nuclear issue," adding, "There is something very strong on the table in terms of their ability to open the strait, to have real, important, time-bound negotiations on the nuclear issue, and we hope that we can achieve that."
Trump reins in quick understanding with Iran
Rubio's comments came as US President Donald Trump curbed the prospect of quickly reaching an understanding with Iran to end the war in the Gulf, writing on his platform Truth Social: "The negotiations are taking place in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have told those who represent me not to rush to conclude a deal, time is on our side."
The US secretary of state justified Trump's position by saying that "Trump is not in a hurry, and he will not make a bad deal," while Tehran and Washington confirmed last Saturday that progress had been made in Islamabad-led talks to end the war.
"Both sides must take their time and reach the right solution," he said, while insisting that the US naval blockade on Iran will continue "in full until an agreement is reached, ratified and signed."
Axios quoted a senior U.S. official as saying that the White House does not expect to reach an understanding on Sunday to end the war, and believes it could take several days for Tehran to agree to the deal.
While the White House did not disclose aspects of the understandings, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei indicated on Saturday that work is on a 14-point memorandum of understanding, which specifically stipulates an end to the war on all fronts, with the postponement of discussion on controversial points, most notably the nuclear file, to a later stage ranging between 30 and 60 days.
Hormuz now. And nuclear later?
CBS News quoted informed sources as saying that the proposal of understanding includes the release of some frozen Iranian assets in foreign banks and the continuation of negotiations for 30 days, but Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that "despite the discussions that took place, the United States continues to obstruct some of the terms of the agreement, especially the issue of the release of frozen Iranian assets, and so far these points remain unresolved."
Rubio said that an agreement with Tehran on this issue cannot be concluded "in 72 hours," stressing in a statement to the New York Times: "We are not postponing it until later.Nuclear talks are very technical matters."You can't get a nuclear deal done in 72 hours."
"Nothing has changed. President Trump was clear.Iran will never get a nuclear weapon," and that Washington prefers to ensure this by diplomatic means.
Trump's remarks shake global markets
Trump has previously said the settlement included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran since the war began, causing turmoil in global markets.
In Tehran, Fars news agency reported that the agreement already stipulates the opening of the strait, but that it will remain under Iranian control, noting that sanctions on Iran's exports of oil, gas and other petrochemical products will also be lifted during the period of ongoing negotiations.
The New York Times quoted U.S. officials as saying that the understanding does not decide the fate of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, which will be the subject of a subsequent round of negotiations.
The round of negotiations comes as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by Pakistan, which came into effect on April 8, more than a month after the war has left thousands dead.
Iran Lies to Trump: Nuclear Is Not Linked to Frozen Funds
Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted responsible Iranian sources as saying that Iran does not accept linking the issue of releasing its frozen assets to the issue of enriched nuclear material.
The sources explained that Iran stresses the need to release some frozen assets at the beginning of the possible announcement of the understanding, noting that Iran has not made any commitments at this stage regarding the details of the nuclear file.
"No final understanding has been reached with the United States yet and there is still disagreement on some items," she said.
Israel adheres to freedom of military action
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to ending Tehran's nuclear program and guaranteeing freedom of military action "on all fronts," including Lebanon.
The day after his phone call with Trump, Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had agreed with the US president on points that clearly contradict the direction that Tehran was talking about.
"President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must completely eliminate the nuclear threat.This means dismantling Iran's uranium enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory." Trump assured him of "Israel's right to defend itself against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon," he said.