“Good signs”: Rubio announces progress in negotiations with Iran
“Good signs”: Rubio announces progress in negotiations with Iran
2026-05-21
Shafaq News – Washington
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Pakistani officials would be traveling to Iran that night, referring to Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, and confirmed that “some progress” had been made in the negotiations and that there were some “good signs”.
Rubio stated in remarks followed by Shafaq News Agency, “We have made some progress in the negotiations with Iran, but we are dealing with a fractured regime and we are seeking to reach a deal. We will do everything we can to reach an agreement with Iran, and there are some good signs.”
He added, “President Trump prefers to reach a good, peaceful agreement with Iran. If we can reach an agreement with Iran, that would be great. If that is not possible, the president has other options. I will not go into detail about the options available to President Trump if we do not reach a good agreement with Iran.”
He stressed his country’s rejection of the toll collection system imposed by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz, considering that this system would make an agreement with the United States “impossible.” He also expressed the “displeasure” of the United States and NATO allies with what Iran is doing.
Meanwhile, three sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that Pakistani army chief Asim Munir will travel to Tehran on Thursday to mediate.
One source said: “We are talking to all the different groups in Iran to streamline communication and thus things are moving faster.”
The Iranian news agency ISNA said that Munir will travel to Tehran on Thursday for consultations.
The agency stated that the text being discussed in Tehran concerns the general framework, some details, and confidence-building measures as guarantees.
Earlier today, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a directive “not to send semi-weapon-grade uranium out of Iran,” according to Reuters, citing two Iranian sources.
Iran said on Thursday it was studying the latest proposal from the United States to end the war, after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated Washington was prepared to wait a few days “to get the right responses” from Tehran, but vowed to launch new attacks unless it agreed to a deal.
shafaq.com
