Rubio says talks with Iran should address missiles, proxies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al-Monitor the venue and format of the upcoming talks are “still being worked through.”
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the upcoming nuclear talks with Iran should also address the country’s ballistic missile program and proxy groups.
“I think in order for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include certain things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles; that includes their sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region; that includes a nuclear program; and that includes the treatment of their own people,” Rubio told Al-Monitor during a press briefing in Washington.
“I'm not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we're going to try to find out,” Rubio said.
US and Iranian officials are expected to meet on Friday for negotiations on a potential deal to avert US military action following the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on protesters last month. The talks were originally scheduled to take place in Istanbul with several regional countries participating, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
