US-Iran Deal Imminent? Secretary of State Says Work Ongoing
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday (25 May) that there could be news ‘today’ regarding US-Iran negotiations to end the war.
Rubio, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Monday (25 May 2026), did not make a definitive statement about media reports suggesting Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict.
The US Secretary said there was ‘solid ground’ on the negotiating table between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, particularly concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
‘Work is ongoing. We think there may be some news tonight, possibly today,’ Rubio told reporters during his visit to New Delhi, the capital of India, on Monday (25 May) local time.
In his remarks, Rubio said there was ‘solid ground on the table regarding their ability to open the strait, ensure it remains open, and enter into very real, significant, and time-limited negotiations on nuclear issues.’
‘Let’s hope we can achieve this,’ he added.
Rubio, who is on a four-day working visit to India, affirmed that Trump would not ‘make a bad deal’ and stated the US would give diplomacy a chance to ‘succeed.’
‘As the President (Trump) said, he is not in a hurry; he will not make a bad deal. I mean, the President will not make a bad deal. So let’s see what happens. We will give diplomacy every chance to succeed before exploring alternatives,’ he explained.
Furthermore, Rubio said that ‘no one takes the Iranian nuclear threat more seriously’ than Trump.
‘So I am very confident that we should all be very confident that if we are to have a good deal, or we must handle it another way. We prefer to have a good deal,’ he said.
On Saturday (23 May), Trump spoke by phone with regional leaders in the Middle East to discuss indirect US-Iran negotiations mediated by Pakistan. According to Trump, the deal to end the war has been ‘largely negotiated’ and awaits finalisation.
Rubio’s comments came as Western media, particularly US outlets like the New York Times (NYT) and Axios, reported that Washington and Tehran are close to signing an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
To date, there has been no official statement from the White House on the matter. The Iranian government has also not provided an immediate response.