“The hope is that it can initiate a serious negotiation process,” he remarked. “I genuinely hope it’s a serious proposal.”
He further emphasized that Iran’s assertion of ownership and control over the Strait of Hormuz—which is vital for global oil transport—is unacceptable, according to AFP.
“Iran now claims ownership and asserts a right to control an international waterway… This is an unacceptable narrative they are trying to normalize,” he reportedly stated.
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Global equity markets surged on May 6 after Axios reported on the peace agreement, highlighting the US’s optimism regarding the memo aimed at resolving the two-month-long conflict.
Rubio also seems to have reconciled with the pope after US President Donald Trump’s contentious interactions with the Catholic leader, who criticized the escalating military actions in Iran.
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Trump accused Pope Leo of “putting many Catholics and others at risk” by opposing the war and falsely claimed that the pope endorsed Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Pope Leo rebutted the allegation, asserting that the church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and is advocating for peace and dialogue over war.
During their private audience, Rubio articulated the US “perspective” and the “threat that Iran poses to the global community.”
“It’s crucial to share our viewpoints and provide clarity on our stance. I found the discussion very constructive,” he conveyed to reporters in Rome.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: May 8, 2026 7:33 PM IST
