On June 3, during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rubio denied speculation that the U.S. had proposed sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He asserted, "For sanctions relief to be considered, Iran must abandon its enrichment of uranium and nuclear activities."
Rubio explained, "Iran is under sanctions due to its enrichment of uranium and nuclear activities. If Iran relinquishes these and complies with an agreement, then sanctions relief will follow." This positions the nuclear issue as a priority over the Strait of Hormuz transit concerns.
According to the Economic Times, Rubio also mentioned the weakening of Iran's military capabilities. He claimed, "Following military operations by the U.S. and Israel, Iran's navy, air force, air defense systems, and missile and drone launch capabilities have suffered significant blows." He further noted that Iran is facing severe economic challenges, including hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and fiscal pressures.
Rubio indicated that any nuclear-related agreement with Iran would undergo congressional review. He stated that he would submit any relevant agreements to Congress in accordance with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA) established in 2015. This implies that any agreement would not only be an executive announcement but would also require congressional scrutiny.
According to the Associated Press, Rubio also addressed the situation in Lebanon. He mentioned, "The U.S. is mediating security discussions between Israel and Lebanon," and asserted that the Lebanese government must regain control over its territory and disarm Hezbollah.
Regarding Greenland, he stated, "Defense discussions among the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland are ongoing." Rubio emphasized Greenland's importance in missile defense and Arctic security, noting that discussions are in a favorable position.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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