\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThis problem will be solved, as the president\u2019s made clear, one way or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered that blunt warning while hinting the Trump administration could be on the verge of a major breakthrough with Iran after weeks of escalating tensions tied to Operation Epic Fury and the growing standoff over Tehran\u2019s nuclear program.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters during a visit to India, Rubio repeatedly teased that behind-the-scenes negotiations are actively underway and suggested a major development could come within days.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere may be news later today,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cThere may not be. I hope there will be. I\u2019m not sure yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rubio\u2019s comments also come as Trump appears to be quietly reshuffling his schedule because what\u2019s happening between the United States and Iran is becoming increasingly serious behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
Trump announced Friday that he would skip Memorial Day weekend plans and miss Donald Trump Jr.\u2019s wedding celebration in the Bahamas in order to remain in Washington during what he described as an \u201cimportant period of time\u201d for the country.<\/p>\n
Trump previously told reporters he had \u201ca thing called Iran\u201d preventing him from fully committing to attending the wedding.<\/p>\n
The Trump administration has continued ramping up pressure on Iran following Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure and nuclear-linked facilities earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Since then, tensions across the Middle East have continued boiling over as the White House pushes Tehran to back down from several key demands.<\/p>\n
Among the administration\u2019s biggest conditions: Iran must fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions and hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.<\/p>\n
Rubio suggested that progress may finally be happening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been some progress done, some progress made,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cEven as I speak to you now, there\u2019s some work being done.\u201d
\nHe added that the administration could potentially have something to announce \u201clater today, tomorrow, or in a couple days.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz is now turning into one of the biggest pressure points in the entire Iran showdown.<\/p>\n
Roughly one-fifth of the world\u2019s oil supply moves through the narrow waterway, meaning any disruption could immediately send shockwaves through the global economy and energy markets.<\/p>\n
Rubio also reiterated one of President Donald Trump\u2019s biggest red lines: Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey need to turn over highly enriched uranium. We need to address that issue. We need to address the issue of enrichment,\u201d Rubio said.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Rubio emphasized that Trump still prefers to resolve the conflict diplomatically instead of militarily, though he made clear the administration believes the issue will ultimately be resolved regardless.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the president\u2019s points consistently,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cHis preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Iran appears to be publicly signaling some openness to negotiations for the first time in weeks.<\/p>\n
Iranian officials confirmed that Tehran is working to finalize a \u201cmemorandum of understanding\u201d with the United States through talks reportedly being mediated by Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Still, Iranian officials are simultaneously insisting the United States has \u201cnothing to do\u201d with how the Strait of Hormuz is managed, showing just how shaky any possible agreement still is.<\/p>\n
Rubio previously warned during a NATO foreign ministers meeting earlier this month that if Iran refuses to cooperate, the United States and its allies may ultimately be forced to intervene.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen someone\u2019s going to have to go in and do something about it,\u201d Rubio said at the time.<\/p>\n