US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong warning to Iran during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in India, declaring that any nuclear agreement with Tehran must be “a good deal or no deal.” Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s growing control over the Strait of Hormuz, calling its actions “unacceptable” and “illegal” amid rising tensions in the Gulf region. According to reports, Iran has tightened surveillance and operational control across the strategic maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Tehran is allegedly demanding permissions and transit payments from commercial and military vessels passing through the route, escalating fears of a global energy disruption. The crisis deepened after reports emerged of recent military activity near Bandar Abbas and the Strait of Hormuz, with the US increasing naval deployments in the Gulf. Analysts believe Washington’s aggressive positioning signals that it will not tolerate any blockade or interference in one of the world’s most vital oil shipping lanes. Meanwhile, nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran remain deadlocked over Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile. US President Donald Trump has reportedly demanded that Iran either hand over its enriched uranium to the US or allow its destruction under international supervision. In a major diplomatic development, an Iranian delegation has reached Doha for fresh talks focused on the Hormuz crisis, frozen Iranian assets, and the framework of a possible peace agreement. However, Iranian officials insist that no immediate breakthrough is expected, keeping the world on edge over the possibility of a wider regional conflict.
