Rubio: Trump Iran Deal Unlike Obama’s Nuclear Pact
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that any nuclear deal with Iran must go beyond the Obama-era agreement and address enrichment infrastructure.
During testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Rubio made clear that the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is no longer a viable framework, according to New York Post.
The secretary pointed out that Iran has already enriched nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium to 60 percent purity—dangerously close to the levels required for nuclear weapons.
“It is not JCPOA,” Rubio told the committee, noting that the original deal would have expired this year and permitted Iran to maintain all necessary enrichment equipment.
No Sanctions Relief Without Concessions
Rubio emphasized that any future arrangement must address both Iran’s enrichment infrastructure and its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Tehran will not receive sanctions relief unless these critical issues are resolved, he stated.
The testimony marks Rubio’s first public congressional appearance since the Iran conflict began on February 28. It comes as Washington and Tehran engage in discussions through intermediaries regarding reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching formal nuclear negotiations.
Rubio expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for dialogue, noting that Iran has agreed to discuss aspects of its nuclear program that it refused to even acknowledge just months ago.
Blockade, Not Sanctions, On The Table
The secretary clarified that the United States will not ease sanctions on Iran in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, Washington would agree to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, which is currently costing Tehran hundreds of millions of dollars daily.
Rubio explained that the blockade was imposed only after Iran failed to open the straits as agreed following the ceasefire.
Trump Contradicts Iranian Media Claims
President Donald Trump rejected reports from Iranian state-affiliated media suggesting that mediator communications between Washington and Tehran had ceased in recent days.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated the negotiations have been proceeding continuously without interruption. He warned Tehran that after 47 years of similar behavior, the time has come to reach an agreement.
His statement came after the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency claimed no message exchanges with America were currently underway.
Internal Iranian Fractures Complicate Talks
Rubio told the Senate committee that the negotiating process is being slowed by Iran’s fractured internal regime, which requires days to generate responses through its system.
He noted that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is increasingly involved in negotiations with the United States, though he has not been seen directly. All communications from Khamenei have been in writing and delivered through intermediaries, likely using couriers.
Khamenei’s whereabouts remain unknown since he was reportedly injured and possibly disfigured during US-Israeli-led strikes on Iran that killed his father, wife and son.
With information from New York Post
