US ready for next nuclear talks if Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is prepared to engage in ‘very serious talks’ on Iran’s nuclear programme if Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, according to The New York Times.

The statement suggests Washington may adopt a phased approach and accept a temporary deal that does not directly address Iran’s nuclear programme, the report said on Sunday.

‘You cannot resolve nuclear issues in 72 hours,’ Rubio told the newspaper during a brief interview in New Delhi.

‘The Strait of Hormuz must be reopened immediately, and then we will begin very serious talks under agreed parameters regarding uranium enrichment, highly enriched uranium, and their pledge not to ever possess nuclear weapons,’ Rubio said.

‘Negotiations will not take years, but will require time to resolve technical issues,’ he added.

The foreign minister hinted that the US could renew its threat to attack Iran if negotiations fail to yield results within two months.

‘Ultimately, this approach must deliver the results we want,’ Rubio said. ‘If not, the president has all options available to him in the next 60 days, as he does now.’

Neither the US nor Iran has publicly released details of the negotiations. Many critics say such a phased deal could diminish President Donald Trump’s influence in future talks.