Rubio States Talks with Iran Still Under Discussion

(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that the location for upcoming negotiations with Iran is not yet finalized, stressing that any discussions must address Tehran’s ballistic missile program, nuclear activities, regional backing of terrorist groups, and domestic human rights practices.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington before a critical minerals meeting, Rubio said the US had initially assumed that a forum in Türkiye had been agreed upon. “We thought we had an established forum that had been agreed to in Türkiye. It was put together by a number of partners who wanted to attend and be a part of it. I saw conflicting reports yesterday from the Iranian side saying that they had not agreed to that, so that’s still being worked through,” he explained.

Rubio emphasized that engaging in talks would not imply legitimizing Iran’s actions. “In order for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include certain things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles, that includes their sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region, that includes a nuclear program, and that includes the treatment of their own people,” he said.

While initial plans called for the negotiations to take place in Türkiye, multiple media reports indicate that the talks are now likely to be held in Oman.

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