Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that talks with Iran had shown slight progress, though he cautioned against overstating movement on a deal that has remained elusive for weeks. Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran was still reviewing the latest U.S. proposal while significant differences persisted over enriched uranium and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio spoke in Helsingborg, Sweden, days after President Donald Trump said he was holding off on military strikes because serious negotiations were underway. Trump has repeatedly warned that a mid-April ceasefire could end if Iran does not agree to terms that include removing highly enriched uranium from the country. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful.
Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi made his second trip to Tehran this week carrying a U.S. message, meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, was also expected in Tehran as mediation efforts intensified. Qatar sent a negotiating team as well.
Rubio said a diplomatic solution would be unfeasible if Iran implemented tolling in the Strait of Hormuz, a route that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. He added that Washington needs a plan B if talks fail, because Iran is unlikely to voluntarily reopen the waterway.
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Sources:
https://wng.org/podcasts/friday-morning-news-may-22-2026-1779406480