World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
Rubio says Iran talks are stalled over demands he calls unrealistic
US-Iran talks to end the war are not making progress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday.
He said Iran’s demands were unacceptable and unrealistic, but added that the US would pursue diplomacy if there were a chance of success.
Iranian media reported an overnight US strike on Qeshm island, where Iranian officials said navigation systems near the Strait of Hormuz were destroyed and no vital services were hit.
Iran has proposed reopening the strait in exchange for steps including ending the war, unfreezing its assets and lifting oil sanctions.
Qatar is trying to mediate, and President Donald Trump is due to meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday.
Rubio said the US would act if shipping or US forces in the region faced a clear threat, while the prospects for a deal remain uncertain.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran to end the war are not progressing.
He called some Iranian demands unacceptable, outrageous, ridiculous and unrealistic.
Rubio said the US would explore diplomacy but would defend its forces and shipping if threatened.
His comments came as Iranian media reported a US attack on Qeshm island.
Qatar is mediating, and US President Donald Trump was due to meet Qatar’s prime minister on Monday.
- Who
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iran are involved in the negotiations.
- What
- Talks to end the war are stalled, with Rubio criticizing Iran’s demands.
- When
- Rubio spoke on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Rubio spoke in Florida; the talks concern Iran.
- Why
- Rubio said the Iranian demands were unacceptable and unrealistic.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rubio said negotiations were not close to a breakthrough and criticized Iran’s demands.
Iranian media reported a US attack on Qeshm island.
Trump was due to meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
- US negotiator
- Marco Rubio
- Iranian demands
- Rubio called them unacceptable, outrageous, ridiculous and unrealistic
- Reported strike location
- Qeshm island
- Qatar’s prime minister
- Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
- Planned meeting
- Trump and the Qatari prime minister were due to meet Monday, November 9, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
You have a number of countries that continue to engage them with different ideas, but I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough.
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.
If there’s a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have a right to defend ourselves.