Rubio says Iran peace deal within reach, Tehran agrees to nuclear talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that a peace deal between Washington and Tehran is within reach and that Iran has agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program. Rubio made the remarks during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He said that a peace agreement as the first phase of the talks could be reached soon, which would include Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz without imposing tolls, removing naval mines and ceasing attacks on ships. Phase two would require Iran to commit to disposing of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and to negotiate "severe and long-term limitations, and or cancellation of enrichment activity," Rubio said, admitting it could take months.