
A deal with Iran could be reached as early as Monday, but if there is no deal, we will resolve the war with Iran in a different way. This is the statement of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on the one hand signals a quick agreement and on the other threatens to resume the war if Iran resists US demands.
According to Rubio, American and Iranian negotiators have something strong on the table, and that work continues. The Secretary of State also asserted that regardless of the agreement that may be reached between Washington and Tehran, Israel will always have the right to defend itself.
"We're still in the process. As I said, we thought we might have some news last night. Maybe today. As the president said, he's not in a rush. He doesn't want to make a bad deal. We're going to give diplomacy every opportunity to succeed before we look at alternatives. And I'm very convinced - I think we all should be convinced, that either we're going to have a good deal, or we're going to have to resolve this issue differently."
Rubio's statement during a visit to India came after the US president said he had instructed negotiators not to rush into a deal, shortly after suggesting a deal was close. The agreement would reportedly include a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a plan for further negotiations on the nuclear program.
US media reports that according to intelligence information, Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was wounded on the first day of the war, is hiding in an isolated area, which makes it difficult for him to communicate with Iranian envoys. This is leading to the postponement of peace negotiations.
Oil prices fell sharply and Asian stocks rose on Monday on hopes of a deal. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said at the weekend that the two sides were both very close and very far from reaching an agreement.