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Rubio cites slight progress in Iran talks; rejects Hormuz tolls
Developing
What we know
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday there had been "slight progress" — "a little bit of movement and that's good" — in negotiations with Iran, speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, as President Donald Trump met top national security officials at the White House without announcing a decision on next steps. Rubio again ruled out any Iranian tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, saying no country should accept it, and stressed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and that highly enriched uranium must be addressed.
Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran for a third round of mediation talks, and Qatar also sent a delegation, according to Iranian and regional accounts. Trump has been holding off on further strikes to let diplomacy proceed after Gulf allies urged restraint, even as friction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the talks was reported earlier in the week. Stickiest points remain Hormuz reopening without tolls and the disposition of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.
What's confirmed
- AP/PBS/DW: Rubio said Friday "slight progress" / "a little bit of movement" in Iran talks; conversations ongoing (AP/PBS/DW).
- AP/CNN: Trump held a routine national security meeting Friday that ended without a decision; Pakistan's Munir and Qatar envoys in Tehran (AP/CNN).
- CNBC/AP: Rubio and Trump reject Hormuz tolls; U.S. wants the strait open as an international waterway; uranium stockpile remains a core dispute (CNBC/AP).
- AP: Rubio discussed a "plan B" for Hormuz at NATO if talks fail; no signed deal announced Friday (AP).
What's still developing
- Whether mediation by Pakistan and Qatar can close gaps on Hormuz and enriched uranium.
- Whether Trump extends the pause on strikes or resumes military options if talks stall.
- How Israeli objections shape the U.S. negotiating posture.
Sources
- AP News — Rubio reports slight progress in Iran talks as Pakistan renews mediation link
- CNN — Trump meets national security officials as he weighs next steps on Iran link
- DW — Iran war: slight progress in peace talks, Rubio says link
- CNBC — U.S. and Iran at odds over uranium enrichment, Strait of Hormuz tolls link