US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress on Tuesday that Iran has agreed to discuss previously off-limits aspects of its nuclear program as negotiations continue with Washington, while arguing that Hezbollah remains the main obstacle to a potential peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said recent discussions with Iran have included subjects that were once considered off-limits.
“They have agreed to negotiate aspects of their nuclear program that just a month ago, just a year ago, they were refusing to even mention,” Rubio told the committee, without elaborating on the details.
He cautioned that progress in the talks does not guarantee a final agreement and said uncertainty within Iran’s leadership has complicated the negotiating process.
“This is not a guarantee that ultimately it will lead to a deal that’s acceptable,” Rubio said.
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The secretary of state said a breakthrough could come soon, adding: “There is the prospect before us, which could happen today, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week.”
Rubio also stressed that any sanctions relief sought by Tehran would remain tied to restrictions on its nuclear activities.
“Right now, everything that’s been discussed with them is that … any sanctions relief is condition-based, which means it has to be in return for the reason why those sanctions were put in place in the first place, which is their nuclear program,” he told Congress.
He said Iran would also be expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas is transported.
“They have to announce very clearly ‘The straits are now open, we’re not charging a toll.’ We will help remove the mines that they put in there, and they will not fire on ships,” Rubio said.
“The more they give, the more they would get,” he added, later saying, “They’re not going to get it as a signing bonus.”
Concerning the Lebanon talks, Rubio said Hezbollah remains the primary obstacle to a peace agreement.
“This is one of the most ironic situations in the world. The government of Lebanon and the government of Israel could sign a peace agreement tomorrow,” he said.
“The obstacle in Lebanon is the fact that Hezbollah has embedded itself within the state, and it is the reason for all the suffering taking place there now and over the years,” Rubio said.
He also described Hezbollah as “a complete and total proxy of Iran,” arguing that the group’s military capabilities depend on Iranian support.
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