Rubio Says “There Could Be A Deal” As US And Iran Prepare For Fresh Nuclear Talks In Geneva

American and Iranian officials are preparing for another round of nuclear diplomacy in Geneva, even as military activity in the Gulf region sharpens tensions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Budapest on Monday alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, signalled cautious hope that negotiations could still produce progress.

"Our negotiators are going there right now. They will have meetings; we'll see what happens. We are hopeful. There could be a deal," Rubio told reporters at the joint press conference on Feb. 16.

Rubio signals hope but warns talks will be difficult

Rubio said Washington remains committed to diplomacy, stressing the preference of President Donald Trump for negotiated solutions.

"President (Donald Trump) always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated solutions. He is a president who has shown he is willing to talk to everyone and meet with everyone," Rubio said.

At the same time, he underlined the complexity of engaging Tehran's leadership.

"Iran is ultimately run by Shia clerics, and decisions are determined by Shia clerics, radical Shia clerics. These people make policy decisions entirely based on theology," he stated.

"I think there is an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement that addresses the things we're concerned about. We'll be very open and welcoming to that. But I don't want to overstate it either. It's going to be hard," he added.

Iran conducts Strait of Hormuz military drill

Just before the Geneva negotiations, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. The manoeuvres, named "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz," are intended to test readiness and defensive plans against potential threats, according to a statement by the Guards' public relations division.

"The rapid, decisive, and comprehensive response of IRGC operational forces to anti-security plots in the maritime domain is at the core of the intelligence and operational exercises of the units participating in the drill," the statement said.

The drills are supervised by Guards chief General Mohammad Pakpour and highlight Iran's strategic position in waters linking the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through the narrow channel, making it one of the most important trade routes in the world. Iran has repeatedly warned it could close the passage if attacked.

US military buildup raises regional pressure

The naval activity comes as the United States expands its military presence in the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and several destroyers are already in the Persian Gulf, and President Trump said a second carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will deploy to the Middle East "very soon."

Trump described the deployment as an "armada" while urging Iran to agree to limits on its nuclear programme. Iranian military leaders responded sharply. Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of the armed forces, warned that any war would become "a lesson" for the U.S. president.

IAEA meeting precedes Geneva negotiations

Diplomatic activity also continued in Geneva ahead of the talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi for technical consultations.

"I have just completed comprehensive technical discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi before the important negotiations planned for tomorrow in Geneva," Grossi wrote on the social media platform X.

The discussions covered technical matters concerning Iran's nuclear programme, Iranian state media reported. Tehran had suspended cooperation with the IAEA in June 2025 after Israeli and U.S. strikes during a 12 day conflict. It later agreed in Cairo to resume coordination, but declared the arrangement void after United Nations sanctions were reinstated under the snapback mechanism initiated by Britain, France and Germany.

As negotiators gather in Switzerland, both diplomacy and military signalling are unfolding simultaneously, leaving the prospects for a breakthrough uncertain.