US secretary of state says a ‘pretty solid’ deal is on the table in terms of opening up the Strait of Hormuz.The United States will either secure a strong agreement with Iran or confront the country “another way”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says after President Donald Trump tempered expectations that an agreement to end the war is close.“We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today. I wouldn’t read too much into it,” Rubio said in New Delhi on Monday, referring to a potential agreement to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“We have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the straits, get the straits open,” he told reporters in the Indian capital, where he has been on an official visit.Washington and Tehran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement although Iran has continued to block the Strait of Hormuz to most shipping and the US has blockaded Iran’s ports.On Sunday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US blockade would “remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed”.“Both sides must take their time and get it right,” he added.Addressing a news conference in Tehran on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran and the US “have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the discussion topics” but warned that “this …
