diplomacyThursday, May 21, 2026event May 2230 sources

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reports 'Slight Progress' in Iran Talks, Cites 'Good Signs' for Peace Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported 'slight progress' in ongoing Iran talks, citing 'good signs' for a peace deal. The talks, held in Tehran, involved multiple international actors including the European Union, Israel, and Pakistan. The United States expressed readiness to begin discussions on the Iran nuclear program if Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz as part of an emerging deal.

Rubio stated that the fundamentals of the negotiations remain the same, but there has been 'some progress' in talks. He emphasized that the United States was in constant communication with Pakistan, which is facilitating the talks with Iran. The European Union called on Israel to stop the expansion of West Bank settlements, while Iranian news agencies reported that shipping levels through the Strait of Hormuz could return to pre-war levels within weeks. Sources diverged on the extent of progress, with some outlets reporting 'slight progress' while others cited 'significant progress' or 'some progress.' The National reported that Rubio said Iran tolls in the Strait of Hormuz 'can't happen,' while Bloomberg and Al Jazeera highlighted 'significant progress' made on the talks. The New York Times noted that the United States was prepared to begin talks on the Iran nuclear program if Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz as part of an emerging deal. Rubio also mentioned that a 'solid' Iran proposal remains on the table and that 'significant progress' has been made on Iran talks. France24 and BBC World reported that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialize 'today,' with Rubio affirming that Israel had the right to defend itself against attack.

Where Sources Diverge

Some sources reported 'slight progress' while others cited 'significant progress' or 'some progress' in the talks.

reuters

US Secretary of State Rubio sees progress in Iran talks, more work to be done

bloomberg

Watch Rubio Says 'Significant Progress' Made on Iran Talks

wion

Rubio reports 'slight progress' in Iran talks as Israeli strike kills six in Lebanon

al-jazeera

Marco Rubio says ‘significant progress’ made in US-Iran talks to end war

Some sources mentioned the Strait of Hormuz as a key issue, while others focused on broader diplomatic efforts.

national-uae

Rubio announces as he says Iran tolls in Strait of Hormuz 'can't happen'

nyt

Rubio said the United States was prepared to begin those talks if Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz as part of an apparently emerging deal on the war.

bbc-world

The deal under discussion would involve a 60-day ceasefire extension during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened

Timelines

Sources

PublicBBC WorldMay 25, 10:41 AM
Rubio says 'solid' Iran deal may come on Monday

The deal under discussion would involve a 60-day ceasefire extension during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, US media reports.

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 25, 08:36 AM
Rubio says ‘solid’ Iran proposal remains on the table - Middle East Eye

Rubio says ‘solid’ Iran proposal remains on the table  Middle East Eye

PublicFrance 24May 25, 07:41 AM
Middle East war live: Rubio says Iran deal still possible Monday

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialise "today", adding that Israel had the right to defend itself against attack. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.

IndependentNew York TimesMay 24, 07:59 PM
Rubio Says Details on Iran Nuclear Program Still to Be Negotiated

The Secretary of State said the United States was prepared to begin those talks if Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz as part of an apparently emerging deal on the war.

WireAssociated PressMay 24, 02:14 PM
Rubio expects Trump to make further announcement after ‘progress’ on Iran deal - AP News

Rubio expects Trump to make further announcement after ‘progress’ on Iran deal  AP News

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 24, 02:01 PM
Marco Rubio says ‘significant progress’ made in US-Iran talks to end war

Iranian news agency says deal could see shipping levels through Strait of Hormuz return to pre-war levels within weeks.

IndependentWIONMay 24, 01:36 PM
Marco Rubio hints at 'good news for the world in few hours' regarding Iran at press meet in India - WION

Marco Rubio hints at 'good news for the world in few hours' regarding Iran at press meet in India  WION

IndependentBloombergMay 24, 04:00 AM
Watch Rubio Says "Significant Progress" Made on Iran Talks - Bloomberg.com

Watch Rubio Says "Significant Progress" Made on Iran Talks  Bloomberg.com

IndependentBloombergMay 24, 04:00 AM
Watch Rubio Sees Good News Coming on Hormuz as Iran Talks Continue - Bloomberg.com

Watch Rubio Sees Good News Coming on Hormuz as Iran Talks Continue  Bloomberg.com

WireAssociated PressMay 23, 09:24 PM
Rubio tell journalists in India “there’s been some progress made" on Iran - AP News

Rubio tell journalists in India “there’s been some progress made" on Iran  AP News

StateAnadolu AgencyMay 23, 06:46 PM
‘Some progress made,’ says top US diplomat on Iran talks - Anadolu Ajansı

‘Some progress made,’ says top US diplomat on Iran talks  Anadolu Ajansı

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 23, 06:08 PM
Rubio says progress made on Iran - Middle East Eye

Rubio says progress made on Iran  Middle East Eye

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 23, 10:31 AM
There’s been 'some progress' on Iran talks, Rubio says - Middle East Eye

There’s been 'some progress' on Iran talks, Rubio says  Middle East Eye

IndependentEuronewsMay 23, 10:18 AM
Pakistan's army chief arrives in Tehran as Rubio signals 'slight progress' in peace talks

US President Donald Trump has described the stop-start negotiations this week as teetering on the "borderline" between a deal and renewed attacks.

WireYonhap NewsMay 22, 11:33 PM
Rubio says Iran talks show 'some progress,' but two sides are 'not there yet' - Yonhap News Agency

Rubio says Iran talks show 'some progress,' but two sides are 'not there yet'  Yonhap News Agency

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 22, 11:11 PM
Pakistan’s army chief in Iran as US’s Rubio says ‘slight progress’ in talks

Pakistan’s Asim Munir is in Tehran as part of mediation efforts, as EU moves to sanction Iran over the Hormuz blockade.

IndependentThe HinduMay 22, 08:34 PM
Rubio cites some progress on Iran talks but ‘we're not there yet’

Mr. Rubio said the United States was in constant communication with the ‌Pakistanis, who are facilitating the talks with Iran

IndependentWIONMay 22, 08:19 PM
Rubio reports 'slight progress' in Iran talks as Israeli strike kills six in Lebanon - WION

Rubio reports 'slight progress' in Iran talks as Israeli strike kills six in Lebanon  WION

PublicDeutsche WelleMay 22, 07:10 PM
Iran war: 'Slight progress' in peace talks, Rubio says

US Secretary of State Rubio said there was "a little bit of movement" in negotiations to end the Iran war. Meanwhile, four European nations called on Israel to stop the expansion of West Bank settlements. DW has more.

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 22, 06:23 PM
US Secretary of State Rubio indicates "slight progress" in talks with Iran - Middle East Eye

US Secretary of State Rubio indicates "slight progress" in talks with Iran  Middle East Eye

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 22, 06:16 PM
Rubio cites some progress on Iran talks but ‘we’re not there yet’ - Al Arabiya English

Rubio cites some progress on Iran talks but ‘we’re not there yet’  Al Arabiya English

IndependentStraits TimesMay 22, 06:15 PM
Rubio cites some progress on Iran talks but "we're not there yet" - The Straits Times

Rubio cites some progress on Iran talks but "we're not there yet"  The Straits Times

StateTASSMay 22, 01:44 PM
Rubio reports 'slight progress' in Iran talks

According to the US secretary of state, the fundamentals remain the same

IndependentThe National UAEMay 22, 12:59 PM
'Slight progress' in Iran talks, Rubio announces as he says Iran tolls in Strait of Hormuz 'can't happen' - The National

'Slight progress' in Iran talks, Rubio announces as he says Iran tolls in Strait of Hormuz 'can't happen'  The National

WireReutersMay 22, 10:49 AM
US Secretary of State Rubio sees progress in Iran talks, more work to be done - Reuters

US Secretary of State Rubio sees progress in Iran talks, more work to be done  Reuters

PublicNHK WorldMay 22, 04:03 AM
Rubio sees 'good signs' for peace deal in Iran | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - nhk.or.jp

Rubio sees 'good signs' for peace deal in Iran | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News  nhk.or.jp

IndependentStraits TimesMay 21, 11:48 PM
US and Iran still at odds on key issues, but Rubio sees some ‘good signs’ - The Straits Times

US and Iran still at odds on key issues, but Rubio sees some ‘good signs’  The Straits Times

IndependentFinancial TimesMay 21, 09:32 PM
Marco Rubio sees ‘good signs’ US could reach deal with Iran - Financial Times

Marco Rubio sees ‘good signs’ US could reach deal with Iran  Financial Times