Marco Rubio warns countries allowing Iran to "sponsor terrorism" face US sanctions

After Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek and discussed expanding trade, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he does not believe the two countries are currently negotiating a trade deal. Speaking on a radio program, Rubio acknowledged that nations may set their own foreign policy but insisted Washington opposes any arrangement that helps Iran bypass U.S. sanctions. He warned that countries creating financial pathways allowing Tehran to support armed groups or pursue nuclear weapons would themselves face American sanctions. The comments underline tensions between India’s stated interest in deepening long-standing ties with Iran and U.S. pressure aimed at isolating Tehran economically.