Trump Said Striking Iran is ‘Highly Unlikely’ Now. But Rubio is Casting Doubt on an Agreement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio cast doubt on an agreement with Iran, saying some of the country's demands are "outrageous and ridiculous."

Speaking to press in Florida, Rubio then noted that President Donald Trump would prefer to solve "this and every problem diplomatically." However, he added, "sometimes that's not possible."

The remarks stand somewhat in contrast with those of Trump, who said renewed attacks against Iran are "highly unlikely" at the moment.

Trump made the comments in an interview with CNN, claiming that he favors refraining from returning to a full-fledged conflict while talks to curb Tehran's nuclear program continue. "It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement," the president told the outlet.

However, he also renewed threats against the country, saying the U.S. has three aircraft carriers in the region and they are "fully locked and loaded." "We have 38 bridges in our site that we can knock down in literally one hour," Trump added.

Trump is set to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday as negotiations continue. Israeli outlet Israel Hayom claimed that Al Thani would be presenting an Iran-approved proposal that would include lifting the U.S. naval and economic blockade in exchange for the reopening of the Hormuz Strait. That would mean Iran dropping its demand to control the waterway and charge tolls for passage. The outlet went on to note that $8 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar would be unfrozen.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the U.S. to accept Tehran's latest offer, threatening with escalation if Washington doesn't.

"American voters have made their choice. Time for the White House to make its own. Our 2-day proposal stands: meet the requirements, including end to war on all fronts, and you will see results. Or choose war, and see our alert and battle-hardened Warriors rain down hell," Araghchi wrote on X on Sunday.

Rubio's future in the Trump administration has been put into question after the Republican party's historic defeat in the midterms. British outlet The Independent cited insiders in the U.S. and the UK who have increasing expectations for Rubio to leave the government, with one saying he needs to "distance himself from the Iran war and pin that one on Trump."

"It makes complete sense for him to step down and leave the administration," the source added, claiming that Rubio is the "leading candidate at the moment" and ahead of Vice President JD Vance, who has come out to criticize the Iran war.