The United States and Iran trade accusations over proposed terms for restarting talks, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Iran’s current demands are “outrageous and ridiculous” and that there is little hope of a diplomatic breakthrough. Several outlets report Rubio’s assessment as he comments amid ongoing deadlock over ending conflict and related sanctions and military measures.

In response, Iranian officials defend their proposals as the most reasonable option. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejects the US framing and argues it is not unreasonable for Iran to require lifting US sanctions and a naval blockade before negotiations begin, alongside an end to fighting across fronts. Multiple reports also describe Iran’s shorter “two-day” proposal to restart peace talks after an earlier seven-day offer, following Rubio’s criticism.

Outlets vary in emphasis: some lead with Rubio’s skepticism about a breakthrough, while others foreground Iran’s defense of its proposal and its counterpoints to US actions, including references to pressure on Iraq and a US military task force described by Iran as a diversion. Overall coverage is largely consistent on the dispute over proposed negotiation conditions and the push for a rapid restart.