G7 ministers to press Rubio on Iran and Ukraine at Paris talks

Iran has proposed restarting peace talks in as little as two days, claiming it to be the most reasonable offer available, following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's labeling of some Iranian conditions as "outrageous" and "ridiculous." Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei responded to Rubio's remarks, stating that Iran's demands for the lifting of US sanctions and naval blockade, as well as an end to warfare on all fronts, are justified.

Baghaei also dismissed US pressure on Iraq to close most of its borders with Iran, noting that it should not impact bilateral relations with Baghdad. He dismissed a US military task force aimed at restricting Iran's land trade as a distraction from the ongoing political upheaval in the US following the Republican Party's losses in midterm elections.

Rubio, speaking ahead of his trip to France for a G7 foreign ministers meeting, said there is no progress to report and that several countries continue to engage with Iran, offering various ideas, but a breakthrough remains elusive. The US president, according to Rubio, still favors a diplomatic solution, but acknowledges that Iranian demands present a significant hurdle to reaching an agreement.

Rubio also touched upon the possibility of further US strikes on Iran, stating that Washington would act if American forces or shipping in the region faced any threat.