The Rubio Israel visit is scheduled for February 28, according to a US official, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise. The planned trip comes amid renewed indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran and ongoing threats of military action from President Donald Trump.
A US official told AFP on condition of anonymity that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the visit. The announcement follows Netanyahu’s recent trip to Washington, where he held talks with Trump.
The diplomatic activity unfolds against a backdrop of military deployments in the Middle East and warnings from the United Nations nuclear watchdog that time for a negotiated solution may be limited.
Diplomatic Moves Amid Threats of Military Action
According to AFP, Rubio’s visit will take place days after US envoys met Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, in Geneva in talks mediated by Oman. Tehran reported progress in the discussions, while US officials indicated that significant differences remain.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran would be “wise” to reach an agreement with the Trump administration. President Trump has repeatedly hinted at possible military action if talks fail.
CNN and CBS reported that the US military could be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, although Trump has not announced a final decision. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, said military options presented to the president include plans designed to maximize damage, potentially targeting senior Iranian political and military figures.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated, “We do not want war,” but added that Tehran would not accept demands it views as humiliating.
Key developments include:
• Second round of Oman-mediated talks held in Geneva
• Continued US military buildup in the Middle East
• Iranian military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz
• Ongoing dispute over the scope of negotiations
IAEA Warns ‘We Don’t Have Much Time’
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said there had been a “step forward” in talks but warned that time is limited.
In an interview with France’s LCI television, Grossi said both sides appear willing to reach an agreement, but described the process as “enormously complex.” He confirmed that discussions are beginning to address concrete steps.
Tehran has suspended parts of its cooperation with the IAEA and restricted inspectors from accessing sites bombed by Israel and the United States during a 12-day war last June. Iranian authorities have accused the UN body of bias and of failing to condemn the strikes.
The previous round of negotiations collapsed after Israel launched attacks on Iranian targets in June, initiating the 12-day conflict during which US forces also struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Military Buildup and Strategic Base Dispute
As negotiations continue, Washington has reinforced its military presence near Iran. Satellite imagery cited by AFP shows the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier positioned approximately 700 kilometers from the Iranian coast, with a second carrier ordered to the region.
In parallel, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. Iranian officials have previously threatened to block the strait, though state media said parts of the waterway would be closed temporarily for safety during drills.
President Trump also intervened in a dispute involving the UK’s Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Britain has agreed to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing the joint US-UK military base for 100 years.
Trump warned against what he described as “giving away” the base, arguing it could be strategically important in the event of a US strike on Iran. Britain’s Foreign Office responded that the agreement secures the long-term future of the base and remains vital for UK and allied security.
Key military and strategic elements:
Two US aircraft carriers positioned near Iran
Iranian war games in the Strait of Hormuz
Strategic importance of Diego Garcia airbase
Ongoing US review of military strike options
Conclusion:
The Rubio Israel visit comes at a sensitive moment marked by fragile diplomacy and visible military preparations on both sides. While indirect talks between Washington and Tehran have resumed, public warnings and force deployments underscore the risk of escalation. The coming days, including Rubio’s meeting with Netanyahu, may shape whether negotiations advance or tensions deepen further.
