Secretary of State Rubio answering in the Senate [AFP Yonhap News]

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the 2nd (local time) that the easing of sanctions on Iran is linked to the abandonment of nuclear weapons, not the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Federal Congress this morning, Secretary Rubio said, "Iran was sanctioned for possessing highly enriched uranium and conducting nuclear activities," adding, "If they decide to abandon these things, there will be sanctions relief linked to their promises and implementation."

When asked, "Is sanctions relief being offered in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?", Rubio replied, "That has not been discussed or proposed."

He further emphasized that "any sanctions relief is conditional" and that since Iran was sanctioned for its nuclear program, sanctions relief is only possible with the abandonment of nuclear weapons.

Amidst criticism within the U.S. of a "flawed agreement" as the broad framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran takes shape, involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz upon cessation of hostilities and 60 days of nuclear negotiations, Rubio's remarks are seen as an attempt to alleviate concerns by clarifying that economic counter-measures like sanctions relief are solely tied to the abandonment of its nuclear program.

This can also be interpreted as a call for Iran to make concessions in nuclear negotiations, implying that the scope of sanctions relief may vary depending on the extent of promises and implementation regarding the abandonment of nuclear weapons.

Rubio stated that Iran "agreed to negotiate on aspects of its nuclear program," adding, "To my knowledge, for the first time, they refused to even mention it just a month ago, or a year ago."

Rubio emphasized that the war the U.S. waged against Iran led to these discussions, stating, "We have a chance to succeed (in negotiations). It could happen today, tomorrow, or next week."

The broadcasting network reported that President Trump, in a phone interview with ABC News the previous day, responded to a question about the timing of the MOU agreement to cease hostilities by saying, "I think you'll be talking about it within the next week."

Rubio warned, "If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, they can use them sufficiently," citing the theocratic regime's decision-making system as a possibility for nuclear use, and pointed out, "The problem is that at that point, they effectively have immunity, our means to act against them are severely limited, and they can hold the world hostage."

He further stated that if the U.S. and Israel had not launched a preemptive strike, Iran would likely possess nuclear weapons soon, which would mean Iran becoming "a greater threat than North Korea," because "they are more well-funded."

Rubio argued that the war was inevitable to prevent Iran from using its nuclear capability to hold the international community hostage, support terrorist organizations, and attack Israel, stating, "At that point, they will decide that the Strait of Hormuz is theirs forever and that all countries must pay a toll."

Rubio explained that one of the reasons for the delay in reaching a cessation of hostilities agreement with Iran is "that their internal system is somewhat fractured," adding, "It takes days to get an answer from their system."

He added, "Negotiations with Iran are not like negotiations with Switzerland. They are very different. Unfortunately, the use of intermediaries is necessary."

Secretary Rubio [AP=Yonhap News]

However, based on various pieces of information, Rubio stated that while Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "reported to have been severely injured in the attack," he believes there are "indications that he is still alive."

Rubio explained that "given what has happened to various leaders within that regime, it would not be internally advisable for him to appear publicly," adding that "while his communication is happening through written means and intermediaries, there are indications that he is becoming more involved (in state decision-making) to some extent."

It has been confirmed that Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a U.S. airstrike on February 28th, the day the war began, and his son Mojtaba was also reported to have been severely injured at the time. Mojtaba has since succeeded him as supreme leader but has not yet appeared publicly or had his voice broadcast.

Rubio stated at a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing this afternoon that China's military support to Iran was not at a level that would hinder U.S. forces or change the tide of the battlefield. The State Department recently sanctioned three Chinese entities for providing satellite imagery to Iran for military attack support.

Rubio also said that he would prevent individuals linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from joining the Iranian delegation for the North, Central, and South American (U.S.-Mexico-Canada) World Cup, which begins this month.

This is Rubio's first public appearance at a congressional hearing since the start of the Iran War. Democratic lawmakers pressed Rubio to openly disclose information regarding the progress of negotiations, questioning the legitimacy of the Iran War.

Rubio asserted, "(The Iran) war is over," but was met with a rebuttal from Democratic Senator Cory Booker, who stated, "The war is not over." Rubio's assertion appears to stem from the fact that the large-scale military operation against Iran, launched in late February under the name 'Grand Fury,' has been suspended since the ceasefire began in early April.

During the hearing, a protestor disrupted the proceedings by shouting accusations of 'war criminal' at Rubio.