Rubio says Iran’s fate lies with Supreme Leader as nuclear talks reach critical stage

The State Department said Thursday that nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have been “constructive,” and stressed that President Donald Trump remains committed to a diplomatic solution.

“The president has been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters. “He wants diplomacy. He wants to see a diplomatic solution here.”

Pigott said he would not discuss private negotiations but repeated that the talks have been described as productive by those involved.

Asked about Trump’s recent comments in the Middle East suggesting a deal is near, Pigott said, “The talks have been constructive. We continue to engage in a way that supports our goal — preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

For full coverage of earlier developments, see our previous live blog here.

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said on Thursday that more than 25% of all International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections in 2024 were conducted in Iran, despite the country accounting for only about 3 percent of the global nuclear industry.

“All of the country’s nuclear activities have been carried out within the framework of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and are under the continuous supervision of this body,” state media quoted Mohammad Eslami as saying on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 31st National Nuclear Conference in Mashhad.

"Currently, IAEA inspectors regularly, both in announced and unannounced visits, inspect the country’s nuclear facilities," he added.

Eslami criticized what he described as double standards, unfair treatment, and negative media narratives targeting Iran. “This is a repetitive and worn-out issue that has never and will never prevent our progress,” he said.

There is concern in Israel over the emerging nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing two Israeli officials who said the potential deal is seen as problematic for Israel.

According to the report, Israel maintains that Iran should not be allowed to enrich uranium under any circumstances, including for civilian purposes.

The newspaper cited two Western officials saying that while negotiations have made progress, it remains uncertain whether the talks will result in a final agreement.

A social media account with apparent access to a sensitive Iranian military site posted a video on Thursday depicting missiles fixed to an Iranian military helicopter which it said were copied from those attached to US attack drones.

The aircraft was marked with the insignia of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iranian military officials in recent days have cited Iran's prowess as a strong deterrent against any US military solution to the nuclear standoff with Iran which has been repeatedly mooted by US President Donald Trump.