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PoliticsRubio: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei alive and active, demands nuclear limits
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 2, 2026, stating that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was wounded in U.S.-Israeli attacks and has not been seen publicly since assuming office, is alive and increasingly active. Rubio expressed hope for a deal with Iran but insisted Tehran must severely limit its nuclear program, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and cease enrichment activities to see sanctions lifted. The comments come as talks to end a three-month war that has engulfed West Asia and triggered a global energy crisis remain stalled. Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.
Source report
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for a deal with Iran, while insisting that Tehran must severely limit its nuclear program in order to see sanctions lifted.
Published - June 02, 2026 10:35 pm IST | Washington
AFP
Photo Credit: Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) that Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was wounded in U.S.-Israeli attacks and has not been seen in public since assuming office, is alive and increasingly active.
"I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level," Mr. Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Iran suspends talks with U.S. over Israel's Lebanon strikes
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, succeeded his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the war on February 28.
Mr. Rubio was testifying in front of the Senate panel as talks on ending the three-month-old war that has engulfed West Asia and triggered a global energy crisis have stalled.
Rubio on Iran's Nuclear Enrichment
Mr. Rubio expressed hope for a deal with Iran, while insisting that Tehran must severely limit its nuclear program in order to see sanctions lifted.
"There is the prospect before us, which could happen today, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week," Mr. Rubio said.
Mr. Rubio said that Tehran must agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping channel for Gulf oil and gas.
"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."
Additionally, he said: "They have to agree on negotiating severe and long-term limitations and/or cancellation of enrichment activity."
Mr. Rubio continued: "Iran is being sanctioned because they've highly enriched uranium, Iran is being sanctioned because of their nuclear activities, if they agree to give up those things, there will be sanctions relief."
Published - June 02, 2026 10:35 pm IST
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Western
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