Rubio: Iran’s Hormuz Demands ‘Outrageous’ as Talks Continue
U.S. and Iran negotiations over Strait of Hormuz remain stalled, with Rubio calling Iran’s demands ‘unrealistic’.
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President Donald Trump is meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in ongoing U.S.-Iran talks, as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz persist. The meeting comes amid stalled negotiations, with U.S. officials expressing skepticism about a deal.
Iran’s Proposal and U.S. Response
Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. ending its blockade of Iranian ports, lifting some sanctions, and halting its bombing campaign. However, U.S. and Gulf officials have said they do not see a close agreement in sight. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the Iranian demands are “not just unacceptable, but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous.”
“Right now, it hasn’t been very productive because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable, but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic,” Rubio said.
Strait of Hormuz and Global Energy
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route, with roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passing through it. Iran has restricted the strait since the war began, causing global energy shortages. The U.S. and its allies have maintained a naval blockade to prevent Iranian oil exports, which Iran claims is an act of aggression.
Trump’s Stance on Military Action
President Trump stated that new strikes on Iran are “highly unlikely” as long as negotiations continue to make progress. “It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump said. “The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary.”
Trump also mentioned that Operation Iron Gate has taken effect, meaning no supplies can enter Iran by land or water. The military has already identified 38 bridges in Iran that could be targeted within an hour if the situation changes.
Recent Incidents and Iranian Claims
U.S. forces disabled a commercial ship on Saturday after it attempted to bypass the naval blockade. Iranian state media claimed the U.S. struck Qeshm Island overnight, though the U.S. has not commented on the incident. Iranian officials have also reported that two tankers hit mines in the strait and caught fire, despite Central Command stating all mines in the area had been cleared.
Iran’s Conditions for Reopening the Strait
Iran has outlined seven conditions for considering its proposal, including the return of frozen funds. Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, called the proposal the most reasonable offered so far. However, U.S. officials remain unconvinced, with Rubio emphasizing the unrealistic nature of the demands.
Source: Daily Caller
