Rubio says Trump remains open to deal with Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said President Donald Trump remains open to reaching an agreement with Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said President Donald Trump remains open to reaching an agreement with Iran to end the ongoing war, while stressing that Washington continues to oppose Tehran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Speaking to reporters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Rubio said any potential agreement would require extensive negotiations rather than a quick announcement.

He said the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme remained central to the US position. Rubio added that any diplomatic settlement would likely involve mediators and require sustained discussions between the parties.

Rubio said the United States wanted Iran to have the opportunity to become a prosperous country, while maintaining Washington’s position that Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was reviewing Washington’s response to an Iranian proposal aimed at ending hostilities.

The official said significant differences remained between the two sides despite continued diplomatic efforts.

The official also said indirect discussions held between Iranian and US representatives on Tuesday included the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade imposed on Iran.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and marked renewed diplomatic contact between Washington and Tehran as efforts continue to find a way to end the conflict.