Rubio: Iran agrees to negotiate nuclear program in breakthrough

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, stating that Iran has agreed to negotiate previously off-limits aspects of its nuclear program, offering the first real prospect in recent memory for diplomatic breakthrough. Rubio said there are indications that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and increasingly engaging in talks, though he noted the leader has not appeared publicly since his appointment. The negotiations could potentially lead to the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route that Iran hasblockaded. Rubio strongly criticized Iran's actions in the strait, declaring them "unlawful and illegal" and emphasizing that no nation supports Tehran's position except possibly Oman. He clarified that ships must be allowed to transit international waters "without being fired upon" and "without paying a toll." When questioned about drones, Rubio acknowledged that Iran still possesses significant quantities. Regarding sanctions relief, Rubio stated it has not yet been discussed and would be strictly condition-based, tied directly to progress on the nuclear program rather than any quid pro quo for reopening the waterway. The developments mark a notable shift in the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have escalated significantly in recent months. The potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world's oil passes, could have substantial implications for global energy markets. Rubio emphasized that while the prospect exists for agreement "today, tomorrow, or next week," any outcome must satisfy US requirements while remaining feasible for Iran to implement.