The Trump administration is pursuing diplomatic negotiations with Iran while conducting military operations near critical shipping lanes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday.
Rubio made the remarks during a visit to India, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to global commerce. U.S. and Iranian representatives are engaged in preliminary discussions in Qatar, he confirmed.
Military Operations Underway
U.S. Central Command announced that American forces conducted defensive strikes against Iranian missile facilities and vessels in southern Iran. Captain Tim Hawkins said the operation targeted positions allegedly involved in placing naval mines near critical maritime routes.
The strikes occurred near Bandar Abbas, a major Iranian naval hub, according to defense officials. U.S. aircraft and naval forces in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea had detected threats from Iranian surface-to-air missile systems, officials said.
What Negotiators Are Discussing
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the two sides have found common ground on several issues but have not finalized an agreement. He accused the United States of changing its negotiating positions.
According to a senior U.S. administration official, the framework under discussion would require Iran to eliminate its highly enriched uranium stockpile, reopen shipping lanes, and accept restrictions on uranium enrichment. The United States would end its naval blockade and gradually reduce economic sanctions in return.
Technical details, verification methods, and enforcement procedures remain subjects of negotiation, officials said. The administration views strong verification mechanisms as essential to any final agreement.
Trump Administration’s Position
President Trump said any deal would need to be “good and proper” while criticizing the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under the Obama administration. He argued that accord did not permanently prevent Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons.
Trump has stated the United States seeks “a good deal or no deal,” according to Rubio. Officials believe recent military actions have strengthened the administration’s negotiating position with Tehran.
This story has been updated. CNN’s diplomatic and defense correspondents contributed to this report.
