SOUNDBITES FROM U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO ON IRAN TALKS, CITING SOME PROGRESS BUT SAYING MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE / RUBIO AT PRESS GAGGLE FOLLOWING NATO TALKS IN SWEDEN

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN (MAY 22, 2026) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO ARRIVING AT PRESS GAGGLE FOLLOWING NATO TALKS IN SWEDEN

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, MARCO RUBIO, SAYING:

"I said the same thing, can't believe I said the same thing as the Iranians did. There's been some progress. I wouldn't exaggerate it, I wouldn't diminish it. There's more work to be done. But look, yeah, there's been some, you know, and that's a good sign. I'm glad they said that. We're not there yet. I hope we get there. The president would prefer to do a good deal. But- you asked me, if I'm optimistic. I don't characterize it as optimistic or pessimistic. We're going to respond based on the facts as we see them and as they emerge. So what the president has outlined is that his priorities are clear. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The issue of highly enriched uranium has to be discussed. Its disposition has to be dealt with. And of course, the issue of a future enrichment has to be dealt with as well."

3. RUBIO DURING PRESS GAGGLE

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, MARCO RUBIO, SAYING:

"We're not there yet, and hopefully that'll change. It may not. Honestly, it may not. We're dealing with a very difficult group of people. And if it doesn't change, then the president's been clear he has other options. He prefers the negotiated option and having a good deal. But he himself has expressed concern that maybe that's not possible. But we're going to keep trying. I know our guys are still working on that very hard."

5. RUBIO DURING PRESS GAGGLE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, MARCO RUBIO, SAYING:

"We also have to have a plan B. And plan B is: what if Iran refuses to open the straits? What if Iran decides we refuse to open the straits, we're going to own the strait and we're going to charge tolls for it? Okay. At that point, something has to be done about it. And I would argue that there are countries represented here today that are more deeply impacted by this than even the United States is."

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, MARCO RUBIO, SAYING:

"Well, the primary interlocutor on this has been Pakistan, and continues to be. And they've done, I think, an admirable job. And that's what we continue to work through. Obviously, other countries, you know, have interests because, especially Gulf countries that are, you know, in the middle of all of this, may have their own situation going on and we talk to all of them. But I would just say that the primary country we've been working with on all of this is Pakistan and that remains the case. And it's my understanding he (Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir) was supposed to go yesterday, but could be as early as today. That Field Marshal Munir, to be travelling there very, very soon. And and we are in constant communication with him at the highest levels of our government are constantly talking to him."

8. RUBIO JOKING ABOUT JOURNALISTS BEING GREEDY WITH QUESTIONS AFTER A JOURNALIST SAID HE ONLY GOT ONE QUESTION, RUBIO TALKING ABOUT LEAVING FOR INDIA