Rubio links Iran's economic fate to nuke deal as Trump vows sanctions
The top US diplomat's comments come amid a delay in the fourth round of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran over a potential deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that Iran could “have real economic development” if it agrees to a new nuclear deal with Washington, remarks that came shortly after the latest round of talks between the two sides was postponed.
The fourth round of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran, aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some international sanctions, had been scheduled for Saturday in Rome. But Oman’s foreign minister announced on X that the talks were delayed due to “logistical and technical reasons.” A senior Iranian official told Reuters a new date would be set “depending on the US approach.”
What happened: In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Rubio said there would be “a win” for Iran if it agreed to a new nuclear deal with the United States.
“They can actually have real economic development, can have real investment in their country, but they have to walk away from sponsoring terrorists; they have to walk away from helping the Houthis; they have to walk away from building long-range missiles that have no purpose to exist other than having nuclear weapons; and they have to walk away from enrichment,” he said.
