Rubio says U.S.-Iran war is nearing an end as direct talks remain in play

“It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it’s coming,” Rubio said.

He also said the United States and Iran are continuing to exchange messages and that a “direct meeting at some point” between the two sides remains possible.

Rubio also said that once the war is over, the United States could reassess its relationship with NATO, raising questions about whether the alliance still serves its intended purpose. He stressed that the decision would have to be made by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“But I really do believe, unfortunately, that we are going to have to reevaluate whether this alliance, which served this country well for a period of time, still serves that function, or whether it has now become a one-way street where America is simply in a position of defending Europe, but when we need the help of our allies, they are going to deny us access to military bases and deny us overflight permissions,” Rubio said.

On March 24, Israeli outlet Ynet reported that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had agreed to talks with the United States. Before that, Tehran had denied any direct negotiations with Washington. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, in particular, called reports of a “productive dialogue” false.

On March 25, The New York Times, citing diplomatic sources, reported that the United States had sent Iran, via Pakistan, a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East. The sources said the plan’s general provisions also covered Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

The Iranian regime put forward its own ceasefire proposal, demanding war reparations while retaining sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

On March 26, U.S. President Donald Trump said that, at Tehran’s request, he had postponed strikes on Iran’s energy sector for 10 days — until Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

On March 27, The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that the Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 U.S. troops to the Middle East as tensions with Iran rise.

On March 30, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States was sticking to the previously announced timeline for the operation against Iran and continuing to act within that schedule.