Rubio: No Sanctions Relief for Iran Over Reopening Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Jun 2: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the United States will not provide sanctions relief to Iran simply for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that any easing of sanctions would remain strictly conditions-based.

Rubio said Washington continues to hold indirect talks with Tehran, describing the process as complex and heavily reliant on intermediaries. He noted that discussions with Iran differ significantly from conventional diplomatic negotiations, adding that responses from Tehran often take time due to internal political divisions.

“Now, we are in talks, and I say talks because talks with Iran are not like talks with Switzerland. They’re very different,” Rubio said, indicating that progress could come “today, tomorrow, or next week.”

He further claimed that, for the first time in recent memory, Iran has shown willingness to discuss aspects of its nuclear program that it previously refused to address. However, he said Iran’s internal political fragmentation continues to complicate negotiations.

Rubio also stated that while Iran still retains a substantial drone capability, its conventional defensive strength has been significantly weakened.

Reiterating the U.S. position, he emphasized that sanctions relief would not be granted in exchange for any single action, including reopening strategic shipping lanes, and would instead depend on broader, verifiable commitments.