Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the United States remains engaged in indirect talks with Iran and that Tehran has shown a willingness to discuss parts of its nuclear program that it had previously refused to negotiate.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said discussions are being conducted through intermediaries and suggested Iran could make additional diplomatic moves in the coming days or weeks. However, he cautioned that any potential agreement would still need to meet American expectations and withstand congressional scrutiny.
Rubio says U.S. is in talks with Iran over nuclear program as senators press for war endgame https://t.co/04pE9H15GE
— CNBC (@CNBC) June 2, 2026
Rubio also defended President Donald Trump’s decision to launch military operations against Iran, arguing that Tehran had been building missile, drone and naval capabilities to shield its nuclear program. He said the administration’s military campaign had significantly weakened Iran’s ability to produce advanced weapons.
According to Rubio, reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains a key condition for de-escalation. He said Iran must stop threatening commercial shipping, remove maritime obstacles and guarantee safe passage through the strategic waterway.
The hearing came as senators from both parties raised concerns about the war’s economic costs and sought greater clarity on the administration’s long-term strategy.
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