America’s top diplomat, Marco Rubio, on Saturday raised hopes of an imminent breakthrough in the Pakistan-mediated U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the nearly three-month-old conflict that has thrown the region into turmoil amid shipping disruptions and uncertainty in global energy markets.
“There might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be. I’m not sure yet,” Rubio said in New Delhi.
The U.S. secretary of state confirmed that “some progress” had been made.
President Donald Trump, earlier, said, the talks were “borderline,” and could go either way.
Waithout specifying the areas of advancement, Rubio made clear that negotiations were continuing in real time.
“Even as I speak to you now, there’s some work being done,” he said.
“There’s been some progress made.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that “there might be some news a little later today” on the Iran negotiations, saying “there’s some work being done” and “some progress made.”
“There may be news later today. I don’t have news at this very moment,” he told reporters… pic.twitter.com/hZnTJHrchn
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 23, 2026
He underscored that the Trump administration continues to favor a negotiated settlement over renewed military action against Iran.
“The president’s preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution,” Rubio said.
“That’s what we’re working on, and perhaps there’ll be something to talk about on that topic while I’m here on this visit at some point.”
At the same time, Rubio reiterated Washington’s core demands: Iran must fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
“This problem will be solved … one way or the other,” he said.
President Trump’s return to the White House on Friday evening fueled speculation that the U.S. could resume strikes against Iran if the talks fail to produce results.
Iran Signals “Final Stages” but Draws Clear Red Lines
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was in the final stages of drafting a framework agreement.
“Within a reasonable period of 30 to 60 days, the details of these points will be discussed and a final agreement will ultimately be concluded,” he said.
Lebanon ceasefire will be included in any deal with US, Iran FM tells Hezbollah leaderhttps://t.co/VPCEP2f6y5 pic.twitter.com/KBRZxg7TFB
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) May 23, 2026
Baghaei emphasized that the immediate priority was ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, while nuclear-related matters would be addressed in separate discussions at a later stage.
He said the proposed 14-point memorandum of understanding focuses on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending what Iran describes as “U.S. piracy against international navigation.”
Pakistan and Qatar Lead Intensive Final Push
Multiple Pakistani government sources told Anadolu Agency that Pakistani, Iranian, and Qatari delegations are engaged in intensive discussions in Tehran aimed at finalizing a temporary agreement. The sources expressed optimism that a “major breakthrough” could be achieved by the end of the week.
Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is paying an official visit to Tehran, held talks with Iranian President @drpezeshkian on Saturday afternoon.https://t.co/xp7GSCjNAL pic.twitter.com/5IKHO4Z6iE
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) May 23, 2026
Munir has also reportedly held at least two telephone conversations with U.S. mediators, including Vice President JD Vance, over the past 24 hours.
The proposed temporary agreement includes an immediate halt to fighting on all fronts, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, and a commitment to begin nuclear talks within 30 days.
More contentious issues — including the release of frozen assets, sanctions relief, and war compensation — would be addressed in subsequent direct negotiations.
A second round of direct U.S.-Iran talks could resume in Islamabad after Eid ul-Adha if the interim agreement is signed.
Background: From Ceasefire to Current Impasse
The conflict escalated dramatically after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in the death of Iran’s supreme leader.
Tehran retaliated with attacks on Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf while effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.
The fighting paused on April 8 after Pakistan brokered a ceasefire, but the first round of direct talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. Trump later extended the truce indefinitely.
A Decisive Week Ahead
With Munir expected to join Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in China shortly to brief Beijing on the outcome, and multiple regional powers coordinating through Pakistani and Qatari channels, diplomatic momentum appears stronger than at any point since April.
Yet major differences remain.
Washington is seeking concrete assurances regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran wants those issues addressed gradually and continues to prioritize an immediate end to the war and relief from sanctions.
As Rubio hinted at possible developments within hours and Iranian officials spoke of finalizing negotiating frameworks, the region appears to be approaching a critical crossroads.
A successful interim agreement could help de-escalate one of the most dangerous conflicts in recent history. Failure, however, risks pushing the Middle East — and global energy markets — back toward open warfare.
For now, all eyes remain on Tehran, where Pakistan is racing against time to deliver what could become a historic, if imperfect, diplomatic off-ramp.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
