Hopeful for Iran deal, in constant contact with Pakistan: Marco Rubio

Stockholm: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that reaching a deal with Iran is their top priority, for which they are in continuous contact with Pakistan. He said they hope an agreement with Iran will be finalized, Tehran will abandon its nuclear ambitions, and the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.

According to foreign media reports, speaking after the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Sweden, Marco Rubio said that progress had been made in talks with Iran, but no final conclusion had yet been reached.

Responding to a question about a Qatari delegation arriving in Tehran, Marco Rubio said that Pakistan is playing the key mediating role in the Iran-U.S. negotiations.

He further stated that although other countries have their own interests and concerns, Pakistan has played an excellent role throughout the matter. He added that Field Marshal Asim Munir is traveling to Tehran and that they are in constant contact with him.

The U.S. Secretary of State also said that Washington has serious concerns regarding Iran’s stance on the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran wants to introduce a “tolling system” for ships passing through the strait.

He added that any such system would be unacceptable and that no country should accept it.

He further stated that the United States and its allies want an agreement with Iran under which Tehran abandons its nuclear ambitions while the Strait of Hormuz remains open. However, he said that if Iran refuses to keep this maritime passage open, then a “Plan B” must be in place.