US Says Iran Agrees to Limited Nuclear Talks Amid Ongoing War

2 weeks ago|1 week ago|

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that Iran has agreed to begin limited negotiations over its nuclear programme, a development he termed a ‘tentative but meaningful shift’ as the conflict in the Middle East enters its fourth month.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time since the war began, Rubio said Tehran was now willing to discuss aspects of its nuclear activities that it had previously refused to engage on. However, he cautioned lawmakers that this was ‘not a guarantee that ultimately it will lead to a deal that’s acceptable’ by Congress, citing the instability of Iran’s leadership as a complicating factor.

Rubio clarified that the Trump administration had not offered sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stating any such easing would depend on Iran meeting nuclear-related conditions. The diplomatic opening remains fragile, with Iran having suspended talks on Monday in protest of ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

During the tense hearing on the State Department’s budget, lawmakers from both parties pressed Rubio on the administration’s war strategy, ceasefire enforcement, and the risk of wider regional escalation. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the committee’s top Democrat, criticised the administration for failing to provide Congress with information on military operations and troop movements. The hearing was briefly disrupted by protesters chanting slogans against Rubio’s policies on Cuba.

via 3 Sources, 4 Times