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Marco Rubio absent from Iran ceasefire talks as 2028 buzz grows

politicsApr 25, 20261725

Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend Pakistan-hosted negotiations this week aimed at securing a ceasefire with Iran, leaving Pakistani and regional diplomats to lead the talks. Instead Rubio issued public remarks saying Iran's footballers will be welcome at this year's World Cup, a comment that separates U.S. messaging from proposals to bar Iran's team. Allies and some White House insiders are increasingly treating Rubio as a potential 2028 presidential contender, and his absence highlights a tension between high-profile political positioning and direct U.S. diplomatic engagement on a major Middle East crisis.