Diplomacy gets full chance before tougher alternatives are considered – US Secy of State
PALAM AIR BASE, NEW DELHI, May 25 (The CONNECT)– US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today signalled that negotiations with Iran over nuclear tensions and maritime security in West Asia remain alive but increasingly urgent, warning that Washington will not accept a weak agreement even as diplomacy continues.
Speaking to reporters here, Rubio said the United States and its partners have put forward what he described as a “solid” proposal aimed at reopening critical regional shipping routes and easing tensions around strategic waterways.
He said the framework has strong backing from Gulf countries and broad international support.
“The President’s not going to make a bad agreement,” Rubio said, adding that diplomacy would be given “every chance to succeed” before other options are explored.
The remarks come amid rising concern across West Asia over Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime security in the Gulf, and the risk of wider regional escalation involving Tehran-backed armed groups.
Rubio also addressed tensions on the Lebanon front, confirming that Washington remains engaged in ceasefire diplomacy between Lebanon and Israel. He said a 45-day ceasefire remains in place alongside ongoing talks involving both governments.
Rubio, however, directly blamed Hezbollah for destabilizing the situation, calling the group an Iranian proxy and accusing it of undermining both Lebanese sovereignty and regional peace efforts.
“As long as an armed Hizballah exists, it’s going to be hard to achieve peace in Lebanon,” Rubio said, arguing that Lebanese civilians continue paying a heavy price because of the group’s actions.
He also reaffirmed Israel’s right to respond to cross-border missile threats, indicating that any future arrangement would still preserve Israel’s security freedom of action.
Despite expressing cautious optimism, Rubio acknowledged that negotiations remain stalled pending Tehran’s response, noting that Iranian decision-making “takes a little while longer.”
His remarks underline the narrowing diplomatic window facing Washington as Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Gulf security concerns, and regional proxy conflicts increasingly converge.
