UPDATE 1-Rubio cites some progress on Iran talks but "we're not there yet"

But we're going to keep trying." Rubio ⁠said ​the United States was in constant communication with the Pakistanis who are facilitating the talks with Iran. There was no specific ask from the ⁠U.S. on Friday for help from NATO on the Strait of Hormuz but there ⁠needs to be ⁠a Plan B if Iran refuses to reopen the supply route, Rubio said after the close of the NATO meeting.

The United States has seen ​some progress in talks ‌with Iran ​and is in constant communication with the Pakistani mediators, but there is more work to be done, Secretary ‌of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.

"There's been some progress. I wouldn't exaggerate it. I wouldn't diminish it," Rubio told reporters after a NATO ministers meeting in Sweden. "There's more ‌work to be done," he added. "We're not there yet. I hope we ‌get there."

President Donald Trump would prefer to do a good deal, Rubio said. The core concern remains that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and the issue of future uranium enrichment ⁠needs ​to be discussed as ⁠well as reopening the Strait of Hormuz, he said. "We're dealing with a very difficult group ⁠of people, and if it doesn't change, then the president's been clear he has other options," ​Rubio said.

"He prefers the negotiated option and having a good deal, but ⁠he himself has expressed concern that maybe that's not possible. But we're going to keep trying." Rubio ⁠said ​the United States was in constant communication with the Pakistanis who are facilitating the talks with Iran.

There was no specific ask from the ⁠U.S. on Friday for help from NATO on the Strait of Hormuz but there ⁠needs to be ⁠a Plan B if Iran refuses to reopen the supply route, Rubio said after the close of the NATO meeting.