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Top US diplomat avoids participating in Iran talks — newspaper

The Financial Times emphasized that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was absent during both of the US delegation's trips to Islamabad

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio John McDonnell/Getty Images

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

© John McDonnell/Getty Images

LONDON, April 26. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may have deliberately declined to attend the Iran talks in Pakistan, The Financial Times reported.

The newspaper noted that Rubio was absent during both of the US delegation's trips to Islamabad. According to Harvard University Professor Stephen Walt, the top US diplomat simply does not want to be associated with defeat in the conflict with Iran.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran. On April 7, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week mutual ceasefire with Tehran. According to the Iranian side, a total of 3,375 Iranians died as a result of US and Israeli attacks over the 40 days of war. On April 11, Iran and the US held several rounds of talks in Islamabad. Both Tehran and Washington reported that the parties failed to reach an agreement on a long-term settlement due to a number of contradictions. On April 21, the US leader announced on Truth Social that Washington intends to extend the ceasefire with Iran, which was set to expire in a few hours. According to the Iranian state broadcaster, Tehran does not intend to comply with Washington’s unilaterally announced extension of the ceasefire and will prioritize its own interests.

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United States Iran

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