New Delhi, May 24: During a four-day visit to India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at a significant announcement regarding Iran. In a joint press conference with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in the national capital, his remarks suggested a move towards a positive agreement. West Asia expert Wael Awad considers this a promising sign.
Awad stated, “I believe a framework for an agreement between the U.S. and Iran has already been established. Both parties have reached some form of memorandum, allowing them two months to resolve all outstanding issues. These issues notably include the Strait of Hormuz, uranium enrichment, Iran’s nuclear agreement, sanctions, and the freezing of Iranian assets.”
He further added, “Additionally, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the maritime region will also be part of the discussions. Overall, this is a positive development, and I hope the agreement will be successful.”
When asked about Iran’s concerns, the expert remarked, “This is not a new issue. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the U.S. has imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran. The European Union joined in 2006. In 2015, it was solely the U.S. action. Then in 2018, President Trump reinstated unilateral sanctions after withdrawing from the nuclear agreement, which is why Iran may not appear fully reassured.”
On the second day of his visit to India, Rubio expressed optimism for major announcements. He indicated that more information regarding Iran could emerge within hours and reiterated that the U.S. aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, he stated, “The Strait of Hormuz is not the property of any one nation. It is an international maritime route. Iran is threatening to harm commercial vessels passing through.” Meanwhile, the U.S. military sources cited by Axios suggest a potential 60-day deal could be on the table.
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