WASHINGTON, D.C., June 2, 2026 — U.S. Secretary of State and acting National Security Adviser Marco Rubio has made it clear that Iran will not receive sanctions relief simply by reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking during a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Rubio emphasized that Tehran must make significant concessions regarding its nuclear program and uranium enrichment activities before any sanctions can be lifted.
Responding to questions from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, Rubio denied reports that Washington had discussed offering special incentives to persuade Iran to reach an agreement.
“No such discussions have taken place, and no such proposal has been made,” Rubio said.
Under pressure from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers over the progress of ongoing negotiations with Tehran, Rubio highlighted what he described as limited signs of progress. He noted that Iranian officials have recently shown a willingness to discuss aspects of their nuclear program that they had previously refused to address.
However, Rubio cautioned that these developments do not guarantee an acceptable agreement, describing the negotiations as difficult due to uncertainty within Iran’s leadership.
The Secretary of State also suggested that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father, appears to be involved in the negotiations behind the scenes despite remaining largely out of public view. According to Rubio, U.S. negotiators have observed indications that Khamenei is increasingly participating in the talks through written communications and intermediaries.
The hearing also featured a heated exchange between Rubio and Democratic Senator Cory Booker over the state of the conflict and diplomacy with Iran. Booker argued that the United States appeared stuck in a stalemate and was seeking to revive an agreement that had previously been abandoned.
“We are the most powerful country on Earth, yet we are trapped in a standoff with Iran, and now we are pleading to return to a deal that was dismantled in the first place,” Booker said.
Rubio strongly rejected that characterization, insisting that Washington was not “begging” for a deal. Pointing to Iran’s fragile economy, he questioned claims that Tehran currently holds the stronger negotiating position.
“I don’t know where the idea comes from that Iran is in a position of strength,” Rubio said.
The remarks come amid continuing efforts to secure a broader agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear activities, regional security concerns, and the future of sanctions imposed by the United States.
