The United States is not offering or discussing granting Iran sanctions relief for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday.
Progress in the talks could come as soon as this week but also possibly next, he said, adding that the discussions are going on in two phases. The first phase would see Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make it clear that Tehran will not tax or open fire on ships passing through. They must also agree to follow discussions on their nuclear program, where further sanctions waivers can be negotiated.
“Any waiver of sanctions is conditional, which means that it should be in return for why the sanctions were put in place in the first place, which is their nuclear program,” Rubio said in response to questions from senators during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
When asked by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) if the United States would offer relief as a carrot to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio replied, “no, that has not been discussed, that has not been offered.”
It was unclear what Rubio meant by sanctions, however, and his comments may not rule out the possibility that Qatar and other countries that hold Iranian cash reserves could release them.
Rubio has repeatedly estimated with others in the administration that the process of negotiations with Iran is proceeding slowly because of internal divisions but also because Tehran’s leaders communicate through messages and covertly to avoid targeting by the United States and Israel.
The Strait of Hormuz has been closed for three months, sending oil prices above $100 a barrel. Trump’s approval rating has fallen to the lowest levels of his second term as gas has topped $4 a liter across the country.
Trump has repeatedly signaled a deal could be reached, then backtracked to demand additional concessions, including the delivery of Iran’s enriched uranium. Tehran has difficulties on its side as well, rejecting proposed ceasefire mechanisms and holding firm on enrichment rights.
If Iran agrees to reopen the channel, the United States and Iran will discuss what happens to the uranium ore buried underground after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites last year, as well as the future of Iran’s nuclear program, Rubio said.
When asked if Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, Rubio said he believes he is, although he has not been seen in public.
“There are signs out there that he’s getting involved on some level,” he said.
The government in Tehran is torn about how to respond to US proposals as economic pressure mounts, Rubio said.
“There are certainly elements within the administration that understand” that a bad economy will create chaos, Rubio said, adding “there are elements that are immune to it, and perhaps more resistant to making deals.”
“Internally it takes time to get a response from them, sometimes up to five or six days,” he said.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
