Iran in ‘Final Stage’ of Nuclear Deal Framework, May Accept Agreement ‘Today’: Rubio; India Called ‘Cornerstone’ of US Indo-Pacific Strategy
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that Iran could accept a deal to end the Middle East conflict as early as that day, as Tehran separately confirmed it is in the final stages of drafting a framework for an agreement with Washington.
“There is a chance that whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say,” Rubio told reporters, adding that he hoped for “good news.”
Rubio outlined the conditions Washington expects any deal to meet. “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon; the straits need to be open without tolls… They need to turn over their highly enriched uranium. If we need to address that issue, we need to address the issue of enrichment,” he said, adding that President Trump’s consistent preference is a diplomatic solution. “That’s what we’re working on right now,” Rubio said.
🚨JUST IN: Sec. Marco Rubio just dropped a major hint on Iran. Big news could drop VERY soon
"There may be news later today, there may not be. I hope there will be."
"The Straits must be open. They need to turn over their enriched uranium."pic.twitter.com/G5IBjwYAT7— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 23, 2026
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed progress on the Iranian side, telling state TV that Tehran is “very far and yet very close” to a deal. Iranian state TV reported that 30- and 60-day time periods are included in the text of the memorandum of understanding. An Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Iran has reached an MoU with the Pakistani mediator and is awaiting the American response.
Rubio made the remarks during his ongoing visit to India, where he also addressed bilateral ties after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“India is at the cornerstone of how the United States approaches the Indo-Pacific, and not just through the Quad, but bilaterally. You see that in the $20 billion that Indian companies invested in the United States,” Rubio said. He described the US and India as “natural partners” and referred to America’s 250th anniversary, calling the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy natural allies “now and in the future.”