May 22, 2026 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations between Washington and Tehran have shown ‘slight progress’ as regional mediators travel to Iran to push for a deal to end the conflict.
Diplomatic activity in Tehran
Pakistani and Qatari delegations arrived in Tehran on Friday as part of separate mediation efforts. Pakistan’s military confirmed Field Marshal Asim Munir visited the Iranian capital for talks and was received by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei cautioned that the visit did not signal a decisive breakthrough, saying differences with the United States remain deep and extensive.
Baqaei also confirmed that a Qatari negotiating team had met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Reuters reported Doha coordinated its mission with the United States to help finalise a deal and resolve outstanding issues. Pakistan, however, is described as the official mediator in the talks.
Rubio’s assessment and wider diplomatic context
Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden, Rubio said negotiators had seen a ‘little bit of movement’ and that talks were continuing. He reiterated Pakistan’s central mediating role while acknowledging other countries, particularly Gulf states, have interests and are involved in discussions.
At the same meeting Rubio warned a ‘Plan B’ may be required if Tehran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He raised the prospect that Iran could try to control passage and charge fees, a scenario he said would compel international action. Rubio said several NATO ministers nodded in agreement and that some allied countries could contribute to an alternative response, though he did not commit to a NATO mission.
Regional and economic fallout
Iran has reported dozens of ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, saying 35 vessels passed in 24 hours with coordination from the Revolutionary Guard Corps. Independent data providers showed fewer confirmed passages but an uptick overall, after Iran earlier targeted infrastructure in Gulf states, including damage to a major Qatari LNG plant that removed a significant portion of Qatar’s export capacity.
The war has driven oil market anxiety. Franceʼs finance minister said governments are not yet prepared to authorize another coordinated release of strategic reserves, noting that any decision depends on clearer signposts about the conflict and on reopening the Hormuz shipping lane. The International Energy Agency’s March release of strategic stocks had been an earlier emergency response.
Other diplomatic and security developments
– Pakistan’s international mediation follows earlier direct talks in Islamabad that ultimately faltered, with Iran accusing the US of making excessive demands. Munir had been central to those sessions, meeting incoming delegations including US envoys.
– The US appears to be rebalancing forces globally; Rubio rejected suggestions troop movements in Europe were punitive toward allies, saying force deployments are routinely reassessed.
– In Washington, House Republican leaders postponed a planned vote on a resolution to force President Donald Trump to end military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. A similar measure advanced in the Senate, signalling rising congressional unease over the campaign.
– Regional figures expressed mixed outlooks on a settlement: a UAE adviser at Globsec estimated chances of a deal at roughly 50-50 and warned Iran against overestimating its leverage.
Wider diplomatic ripples
Several other international items in play include European proposals to bar goods from Israeli settlements and calls from major European leaders for Israel to halt settlement expansion and curb settler violence. Lebanon’s military reaffirmed its loyalty to the state after US sanctions targeted officers accused of ties to Hezbollah. Separately, Washington said some foreign military sales may be paused while munitions are prioritised for operations related to the Iran conflict, a move noted in testimony about arms transfers to Taiwan.
Outlook
Rubio described the momentum as modest but tangible, with mediators active and talks ongoing. Key questions remain whether Iran and the United States can convert limited movement into a lasting agreement, how regional actors like Pakistan and Qatar will shape any deal, and whether the international community will be forced to pursue contingency measures if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed or controlled by Tehran.