'Iranian demands are outrageous,' Rubio says as talks fail to make progress
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that negotiations with Iran have made little progress, stressing that Washington is not close to reaching a diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran.Speaking to reporters ahead of his departure for France to attend a meeting of G7 foreign ministers, Rubio said, "I have no progress to report. There are several countries that continue to engage with Iran and put forward various ideas, but I would not say that we are on the verge of a breakthrough."Rubio said President Donald Trump continues to favor a diplomatic solution, but acknowledged that Iranian demands remain a major obstacle to reaching an agreement."
The president will always prefer to resolve this problem, like any other problem, through diplomatic means. Unfortunately, sometimes that is impossible. If there is an opportunity to do so, we will examine it. At the moment, the talks have not been particularly productive because the Iranian demands are simply unacceptable, and in some cases they are outrageous, ridiculous, and detached from reality," he added.Rubio also addressed the possibility of additional US strikes on Iran, saying Washington would act if American forces or shipping in the region came under threat."If there is a clear and immediate threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have the right to defend ourselves.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never says what Iran is demanding. Other coverage of the same remarks reported that Rubio did not elaborate and that Iran's stated conditions include lifting the US naval blockade and reparations. Without this a reader takes Rubio's word that the demands are detached from reality, with nothing to judge them by.
How we know
- New York Post reported“Iran previously said the US had to meet it seven demands, which include lifting the Navy blockade and paying reparations”Rubio blasts Iran's 'outrageous and ridiculous' demands — casting doubt on diplomatic breakthrough (opens in a new tab)
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article reports Rubio saying future US strikes would answer threats to shipping or US forces, but does not say the US had struck Iran's Qeshm Island days earlier, which this outlet itself reported. A reader is left with only the defensive framing.
How we know
- Anadolu Agency (English) reported“Rubio's remarks come after limited US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days”Diplomatic agreement with Iran may not be possible, says US' Rubio (opens in a new tab)
- The Jerusalem Post wrote earlier“The statement followed US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island”'You'll know soon enough': Trump leaves door open to devastating new Iran strikes (opens in a new tab)
It all depends on the level of the threat and whether they are acting against us or intend to do so," he said.Rubio defends Trump's decision to go to war with Iran despite political falloutThe secretary of state also defended Trump's decision to go to war with Iran, despite the potential political consequences of the conflict."A nuclear Iran would be unacceptable and dangerous not only to Israel and the Middle East, but to the entire world and the United States.
The president confronted a threat that other presidents were unable to confront. Sometimes doing the right thing is not necessarily popular, but it is necessary," Rubio said.Rubio declined to comment on whether the war had contributed to Republican losses in the US midterm elections.
Read the original article on jpost.com (opens in a new tab)