Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks with Iran have been unproductive
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that talks with Iran had been unproductive and a breakthrough was unlikely, calling Tehran’s demands unacceptable, “outrageous and ridiculous” and unrealistic. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran wants U.S. sanctions lifted and the war ended on all fronts before negotiations begin.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that talks with Iran have been unproductive and a breakthrough is not near, accusing Tehran of making demands he called “unacceptable,” “outrageous and ridiculous,” and unrealistic. Rubio said Donald Trump would prefer to resolve the conflict diplomatically, but that was not always possible.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran would not begin negotiations unless U.S. sanctions were lifted and the war ended across all fronts. CNBC reported that Tehran had proposed shortening the timetable for restarting talks from seven days to two. Iran International reported, citing a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters, that Tehran had sent a nuclear proposal through Doha. The official said further discussions depended on Washington meeting Iranian demands; the United States wants nuclear issues addressed at the outset.
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- CNBC — Rubio says Iran war breakthrough unlikely amid 'outrageous' demands
- Iran International — Rubio says Iran's demands are 'outrageous and ridiculous,' talks unproductive
- Streamline — US Forms Task Force Iron Gate to Tighten Iran Blockade Amid Diplomatic Stalemate
- nation.com.pk — Diplomatic agreement with Iran may not be possible, says US' Rubio