Rubio says Iran expected to respond to U.S. proposal on Friday

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is expecting Iran to deliver its response to a U.S. peace proposal on Friday, as diplomatic efforts continue amid escalating tensions in the region. He added that the United States is still awaiting Tehran’s official reply and is hoping for a “serious” counterproposal that could advance negotiations.

The statement comes as U.S. officials maintain cautious optimism about ongoing backchannel discussions, with Iran reviewing a framework that reportedly includes wide-ranging demands on its nuclear and missile programs.

At the same time, the broader Middle East situation remains volatile, with continuing military and political friction between Iran, the U.S., and regional actors despite efforts to stabilize the conflict.