Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Rubio Says Trump Blocked Iran’s Path to Nuclear Immunity
US and Iranian officials are trying to find a deal.
The United States wants Iran to make clear progress on nuclear issues.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Trump acted before Iran became too well armed to stop.
Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz if certain conditions are met.
The United States rejected Iran’s latest proposal as unacceptable.
Iran says its plan is fair and logical.
The two countries are communicating indirectly through mediators, including Qatar.
They have not yet agreed on when either side would fulfill its promises.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump prevented Iran from reaching a “line of immunity” before military action became more difficult.
A US official said Washington may offer sanctions relief and release frozen Iranian funds if Tehran makes concrete nuclear progress.
Trump rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling it unacceptable, while expecting further talks this week.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect discussions continued through Qatari mediators and that Tehran awaited an official US response.
The United States and Iran remain divided over nuclear commitments, sanctions relief, frozen assets, and conditions for reopening the waterway.
- Who
- The governments of the United States and Iran, including Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, and Abbas Araghchi, are involved.
- What
- The countries are pursuing indirect negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, frozen funds, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The latest statements and indirect discussions occurred on Monday, with further talks expected during the week.
- Where
- The discussions were conducted indirectly through mediators, including Qatar, with recent meetings and messages linked to New York and the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- The sides are trying to address nuclear concerns and regional tensions while negotiating conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and possible US economic concessions.
United States Position
Iranian Position
Nuclear commitments
United States Position
Washington says there will be no deal without concrete progress addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and remains skeptical of Iranian promises.
Iranian Position
Tehran says it is flexible on nuclear issues and has presented a plan it describes as fair and logical.
Strait of Hormuz
United States Position
President Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the waterway, and Washington said the proposal was unacceptable.
Iranian Position
Iran says it will reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States meets specified conditions, including easing military pressure.
Economic relief
United States Position
The United States may provide sanctions relief and access to frozen funds only after concrete nuclear progress, and says Iran sought these benefits before nuclear negotiations.
Iranian Position
Iran’s proposal reportedly links reopening the waterway to measures involving sanctions relief, frozen assets, and reduced US pressure.
- US assessment
- Marco Rubio said Trump prevented Iran from reaching a “line of immunity” by strengthening its missiles, drones, and other weapons.
- Possible US concessions
- A US official said sanctions relief and release of frozen Iranian funds could be offered for concrete nuclear progress.
- Iranian proposal
- Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz for seven days if Washington met specified conditions, including easing US military pressure.
- US response
- Trump called Iran’s latest proposal unacceptable, while US Ambassador Mike Waltz said Washington had rejected it.
- Mediation
- Qatari and Pakistani intermediaries have been relaying messages between Washington and Tehran.
- Negotiating status
- The countries reportedly remain divided over the timing of nuclear commitments and have not reached a final agreement.