‘A big, big problem’: Rubio says Iran’s missile stance complicates US talks

Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that Iran must negotiate on its missile program, a day after President Donald Trump alleged Tehran was working on rockets that could hit the United States.

"I would say that the Iranian insistence on not discussing ballistic missiles is a big, big problem," Rubio told reporters on the eve of new talks between the United States and Iran.

Rubio, however, steered clear of describing if the talks in Geneva would be a make-or-break moment in deciding if the United States attacks Iran.

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"The president wants diplomatic solutions. He prefers them greatly," Rubio said on a visit to the small Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

As for the talks, "hopefully they're productive, but eventually we'll have to have conversations about more than just a nuclear program."

On a potential strike on Iran, Rubio said: "The president's made no decision on that, so I don't know if Thursday's the key date for that. I think progress needs to be made."

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Meanwhile, Iran slammed Trump’s pressure tactics ahead of critical talks in Geneva over Tehran’s nuclear program, alternating between calling his remarks “big lies” and saying negotiations may yield an agreement through “honourable diplomacy.”

The remarks by two Iranian officials ahead of Thursday’s talks come as America has assembled its biggest deployment of aircraft and warships to the Middle East in decades, part of Trump’s efforts to get a deal while Iran struggles at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests last month.

If the negotiations fail, Trump repeatedly has threatened to attack Iran — something Mideast nations fear could spiral into a new regional war.