Speaking to the media before departing for Sweden, the US Secretary of State said he would discuss military deployments and security-related issues during the NATO meeting.

He warned that the implementation of any “toll system” in the Strait of Hormuz could make a diplomatic agreement unworkable.

Marco Rubio stated that some positive signals are being observed in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, but stressed that it would not be appropriate to be overly optimistic at this stage.

He said that Donald Trump has always prioritised a good deal, diplomacy, and negotiations. “If a better agreement is reached, that would be the best outcome,” he added.

The US Secretary of State said allied countries are united in the view that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

He further stated that the United States is unhappy with some of its NATO allies regarding the Iran issue, but Washington still prefers a diplomatic solution.

Marco Rubio expressed hope that the ongoing diplomatic efforts could lead to a positive outcome, while also making it clear that no final progress can yet be predicted with certainty.