Michelle Kellerman

U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he's not sure if the U.S.

can reach any deals with the Iranian government, but he says President Trump prefers to have negotiations about a range of issues.

Rubio brushed off concerns that a meeting now would legitimize the Iranian regime after thousands of protesters were killed there.

Trump had told the protesters last month that help was on its way.

and that the U.S.

was, quote, locked and loaded.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

Secretary Rubio says he thought there was already an agreement for U.S.

envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranian officials in Turkey later this week.

But he says the Iranians seem to have changed their mind about that.

Wherever the talks land, he says, Witkoff is ready to go.

He says Trump doesn't think a meeting will legitimize a regime that recently killed thousands of protesters.

Rubio says any negotiations will have to cover Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as how Iran treats its citizens.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

Secretary Rubio says he thought there was already an agreement for U.S.

envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Iranian officials in Turkey later this week.

But he says the Iranians seem to have changed their mind about that.

Wherever the talks land, he says, Witkoff is ready to go.

He says Trump doesn't think a meeting will legitimize a regime that recently killed thousands of protesters.