US Secretary of State: If Talks Fail, 100% Iran’s Fault

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (24 May) said if negotiations between Washington and Tehran fail to yield results, it would be entirely Iran’s fault. In an interview with Indian broadcaster India Today, Rubio stated that diplomatic failures would not be the fault of the US or its Gulf allies. ‘If this effort fails, it is not the fault of the US or our Gulf allies. It will be 100 per cent Iran’s fault,’ Rubio said. The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump said a peace deal between the US and Iran had basically been agreed upon. Trump mentioned that final details of the agreement are still being worked out and will be announced soon. When asked if failed negotiations could reignite Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Rubio said Trump had affirmed he would do whatever necessary to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched strikes against targets in Iran, including Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran then retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East. Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire on 7 April. However, subsequent talks held in Islamabad ended without breakthroughs.