Rubio Rejects Iran’s Demands as Trump Leaves Door Open to Diplomacy – Hopes of a permanent agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran diminished on Sunday, November 8, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Tehran of making “outrageous and ridiculous” demands.
Speaking in Florida before traveling to Paris for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Rubio said negotiations had been unproductive and were not approaching a breakthrough.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completes the first scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 18, 2021. The U.S. Navy conducts shock trials of new ship designs using live explosives to confirm that our warships can continue to meet demanding mission requirements under harsh conditions they might encounter in battle. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley B. McDowell)
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II static display from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 inside of Hangar 5300 during Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, May 3, 2026. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held an air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon)
Tehran defended its position earlier on Monday, insisting that its conditions to end the conflict were reasonable.
Far From a Breakthrough
Rubio was en route to the G7 when reporters asked him for the latest on negotiations with Iran.
“I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough,” Rubio said. “The president would always prefer to solve this and every problem diplomatically. Sometimes that’s not possible, unfortunately, but if there’s a chance to do it, we’ll explore it.”
He continued: “Right now, it hasn’t been very productive, because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable, but, in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous, and really not realistic.”
Rubio Defends Decision for War
The secretary of state also appeared to disagree with Vice President J.D. Vance’s assessment of the conflict made shortly after the Republican Party lost control of Congress in the midterm elections.
“The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote in a lengthy social media post as results confirmed widespread Republican losses across the country.
President Donald Trump, who previously acknowledged that the conflict with Iran had played a role in the election results, said Vance’s assessment was “largely true” when pressed by reporters during a tour of the White House ballroom construction. “If I had to do it again, I’d have to do it again because long term, it’s the only answer,” he said. “You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
Rubio declined to comment directly on the election results on Sunday, defending the decision to go to war even if it wasn’t “necessarily popular” among American voters.
Telling reporters that Trump “identified a very real threat” in Iran, and that the conflict was necessary to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Rubio added: “[Trump] addressed it even though often times the right thing to do for the country — confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country — doing it isn’t necessarily popular, but necessary.”
An EA-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, takes off from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), May 21, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)
Tehran Defends Position on Conditions
In response to Rubio’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Washington should lift sanctions as well as its naval blockade, and end the war on all fronts before negotiations begin.
“Is it unreasonable that Iran demands that U.S. illegal sanctions and its naval blockade must be lifted before negotiations start and that the war should end on all fronts?” Baghaei told reporters at a weekly press conference on Monday.
Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei reinforced Tehran’s position after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin last Thursday. He said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed and that negotiations would not begin until Washington met Iran’s conditions. He also delivered a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and discussed regional security arrangements with Putin.
No War if Negotiations Progress
Speaking to CNN on Sunday, President Trump said it is “highly unlikely” he would need to order a renewed military campaign in Iran so long as there is progress over Tehran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
“It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump told CNN’s Jim Sciutto. “The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary. They’re a failing nation. It just came out, you saw this year, 301% inflation. Highly unlikely it will be necessary. I would, if necessary, but we hit them really hard. I hit them so hard. You don’t know how hard I hit them.”
He continued: “So it’s highly unlikely I’ll have to. They’re withering away financially. We’ve hit them militarily. We could finish them off.”
Trump repeatedly threatened to renew military action during the election campaign following the midterms. Despite the threats, oil prices have dropped since last Tuesday’s election, with Brent crude—the global benchmark for oil prices—falling more than 3% to below $95 per barrel after Trump’s comments to CNN on Sunday.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
