US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the "finish line" in the war with Iran is in sight, and once the conflict ends the United States will have to "re-examine" its relationship with NATO after a number of European countries declined to support the conflict with Iran.
Rubio said in an interview on Fox News Channel's Hannity show on March 31 that "there are talks going on" to end the war, with the possibility of a "direct meeting at some point."
"We can see the finish line. It's not today, it's not tomorrow, but it is coming," he said, but did not elaborate.
Prospects for a deal to end the war, which began on February 28, have grown in recent days.
Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian said late on March 31 that his country has the "necessary will" to end the conflict with the United States and Israel depending on conditions such as security guarantees.
The United States said last week it put forward a 15-point plan that includes Iran dismantling its nuclear facilities, limiting its missile capabilities, and ending its support for regional proxy forces.
US President Donald Trump said on March 31 that the fighting could end in two to three weeks, further buoying sentiment that a settlement is within reach.
"There are messages being exchanged, there are talks going on. There is the potential for a direct meeting at some point," Rubio told Fox News.
Looking past the end of the war, Rubio said that "unfortunately" the Trump administration will have to "re-examine the value of NATO and that alliance for our country."
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Iran Is Firing Fewer Missiles. But Its Hit Rate Is Increasing. Why?Rubio and other US officials have previously questioned the value of the alliance if the United States cannot freely use bases in allied countries to defend its own interests.
"If now we have reached a point where the NATO alliance means...that we can no longer use those bases to defend America's interests, then NATO is a one-way street," Rubio said.
Several European allies have refused to get directly involved in the conflict, which has seen daily air strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Iran. Tehran has responded by firing missiles and launching drones at targets around the Middle East.
Iran has also de facto blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway used to transport about 20 percent of the world's oil and gas, by striking several ships despite getting pummeled by air strikes that have decimated Iran's military capabilities.
Media reports this week claimed that Spain and Italy -- both NATO members -- had denied permission for US military aircraft to use their air bases for military operations in Iran.
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Starmer Tells Britain Iran Conflict 'Not Our War'US President Donald Trumpon March 31 pointedly criticized France and Britain, two of the closest allies the United States has, for failing to back the United States, telling the world to "Go get your own oil!" and "Start learning how to fight for yourself."
Trump said he is strongly considering pulling the country out of NATO, The Telegraph reported on April 1. In an interview with the British daily, Trump called the alliance a "paper tiger."
"I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way," Trump was quoted as saying.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Trump's criticism of Britain and other NATO allies for failing to support the US military operation in Iran.
"Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I'm going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make," Starmer said during a news conference in London on April 1.
"And that's why I've been absolutely clear that this is not our war or we're not going to get dragged into it," he added.