Marco Rubio suggests no breakthrough at forthcoming talks with Iran

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The latest round of talks between U.S. officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian negotiators via mediator Oman are scheduled for Thursday in Geneva.

The negotiations are aimed at addressing its returning nuclear weapons program but, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, there are major concerns with its conventional missiles as well.

"The talks (Thursday) will be largely focused on the nuclear program, and we hope progress can be made," Rubio told reporters on Wednesday before adding that "it's also important to remember that Iran refuses -- refuses -- to talk about the ballistic missiles to us or to anyone, and that's a big problem."

Speaking to reporters in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, Rubio said that Iran's conventional missiles threaten "all of our bases in the UAE and Qatar and Bahrain, and they also possess naval assets that threaten shipping and try to threaten the US Navy."

Rubio said the discussions are important to gauge how serious Iran is in reaching a deal to avoid potential U.S. military action but suggested a breakthrough was unlikely at this session.

Rubio said that Iran is "always trying to rebuild elements" of their nuclear program though he said enrichment of uranium is not taking place.

"After their nuclear program was obliterated," Rubio said, referring to last year's strike on three nuclear facilities in the country, "they were told not to try to restart it."

But, according to Rubio, "you can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it."

"They're not enriching right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can," he added.