United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appears to be taking a more active role in the country’s affairs as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue following an April 8 truce.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Rubio said there were indications that Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since a strike that killed his father and predecessor at the start of the war, was increasingly involved in decision-making through written communications and intermediaries.
His remarks came as Iran reviews a revised U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
Rubio said the negotiations have expanded to include aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme that Tehran had previously refused to discuss.
He cautioned, however, that the broader agenda does not guarantee a final agreement acceptable to both sides.
According to Rubio, the United States has tied any future sanctions relief directly to Iran’s nuclear activities, rejecting the idea of easing sanctions solely in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
He said sanctions relief would only follow significant Iranian concessions involving highly enriched uranium and nuclear commitments.
President Donald Trump also pushed back against reports that talks had stalled, saying discussions with Iran were continuing.
Trump has maintained that any agreement must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said Iran had halted many nuclear activities previously underway and stressed that any eventual agreement should include strong verification and monitoring measures.
The negotiations are unfolding against the backdrop of continued regional tensions.
Iran has expressed growing concern over ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon despite a partial ceasefire announced earlier.
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that continued Israeli actions in Lebanon could affect negotiations with Washington.
He said Tehran could halt the diplomatic process and take a more confrontational stance if attacks continue.
Meanwhile, Rubio faced sharp questioning from lawmakers during congressional hearings, with members of both parties seeking greater clarity on the administration’s strategy for ending the conflict.
The war, now in its fourth month, has become an increasingly contentious issue in Washington as policymakers debate its costs, objectives and long-term consequences.