U.S. Won't Lift Iran Sanctions for Strait of Hormuz Access, Rubio Tells Congress on June 3

According to U.S. Secretary of State Rubio at a congressional hearing on June 3, the Trump administration will not lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for restoring the Strait of Hormuz passage. He emphasized that any sanctions relief must be contingent on Iran abandoning its nuclear program, adding that the core rationale for U.S. sanctions on Iran centers on its uranium enrichment and related nuclear activities.

As the Iran conflict enters its fourth month, Rubio noted signs indicating Iran's supreme leader Mujtaba Khamenei is increasingly involved in negotiations.