Rubio: Trump Has All Options if Iran Fails to Reach Agreement

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that President Donald Trump has various options available if Iran refuses to agree to the terms of a deal, but he still prefers the diplomatic route. “The president has plenty of options at his disposal. If Iran reneges on its promises, or if Iran decides it does not want to reach a deal, let us hope that does not happen. We do not want that. We will give every opportunity for diplomacy to succeed,” Rubio told reporters. Rubio stressed that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran is not a final agreement, adding that it merely creates a framework and outline for further negotiations. On the eve of 18 June, Iran and the United States signed the MoU remotely. The document provides for a cessation of the military conflict that began on 28 February. It also sets a schedule for the US to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and for Iran to restore shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also committed not to acquire nuclear weapons. However, the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme will be resolved through a separate agreement. Both parties are scheduled to hold negotiations on the matter within 60 days. For Tehran, the expected outcome of the process is the lifting of sanctions currently imposed on Iran.