Rubio sees chance of Iran deal soon amid mediation efforts

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a possibility that Iran might accept a deal to end the Middle East war imminently. His remarks coincided with the arrival of Pakistan's army chief in Tehran to facilitate mediation efforts. Simultaneously, US President Donald Trump's decision to remain in Washington instead of attending his son's wedding heightened speculation that negotiations had reached a critical juncture.

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There might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be.

Rubio acknowledged progress in the negotiations but did not rule out the resumption of US attacks on Iran. "There might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be," he told reporters in New Delhi. He added, "There's been some progress done, some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done." He expressed hope for an announcement "whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple days."

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There's been some progress done, some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done.

The US demands include Iran fully opening the Strait of Hormuz and handing over highly enriched uranium. Rubio stated that President Trump's "preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution. That's what we're working on right now." However, he cautioned that "this problem will be solved, as the president's made clear, one way or the other."

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There is a chance that, whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say.

Separately, Lebanon's military reported that an Israeli strike on an army barracks in the south wounded a soldier, despite an existing ceasefire. Israel continued its strikes on Lebanon, including overnight raids and an attack that damaged a hospital in Tyre. Evacuation warnings were issued for 15 villages in southern Lebanon ahead of further potential strikes. The Iran-backed Hezbollah has continued its attacks on Israeli targets in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

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The president's preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution. That's what we're working on right now.