Rubio says US will only provide sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for nuclear concessions
Marco Rubio said sanctions relief for Iran would only come if Tehran gives up its nuclear activities. He also rejected any Iranian toll on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Rubio told US senators that any sanctions relief for Iran is tied to major nuclear concessions, not to a temporary ceasefire or economic pressure campaign. He also pushed back against Iranian efforts to control or charge for transit in the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio said Iran cannot get money from sanctions relief unless it gives up parts of its nuclear program. He also said ships should be allowed to pass through a sea lane like an open road, not a toll booth.
Analysis
Washington’s position
Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Iran would only get sanctions relief if it gives up the nuclear activities that have triggered sanctions in the first place. He said Iran would have to agree to “severe and long-term limitations” on enrichment, or end enrichment altogether, before relief would be considered.
Ceasefire and frozen funds
The article says Rubio’s remarks undercut hopes in Tehran that economic relief could be part of a phased ceasefire extension. Middle East Eye reports that Iran has asked for billions of dollars in frozen funds to be released, while Iranian media have said any ceasefire should include economic relief. Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, called the release of those funds a legal right of the Iranian people.
Strait of Hormuz dispute
Rubio also rejected Iranian efforts to impose a toll in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the straits must remain open and that Iran should not charge vessels to pass. He added that the US would help remove mines and said ships would not be fired on.
The article notes the legal backdrop: under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states have limited territorial waters, and international straits cannot be blocked or taxed in the usual sense. Still, legal experts told Middle East Eye that Iran could try fee-like arrangements if Oman cooperated.
Political backdrop
The piece places Rubio’s comments amid a wider war context and leadership changes in Iran. It says Washington believes Iran’s supreme leader is playing a larger role in talks, while noting that earlier Israeli strikes killed senior figures involved in previous negotiations.
Key points
- Rubio said sanctions relief would only come if Iran gives up nuclear activities.
- He said Tehran must accept severe, long-term limits on enrichment or cancel it.
- Iran has said no negotiations are taking place over its nuclear programme.
- Tehran has also sought frozen funds as part of a ceasefire deal.
- Rubio rejected any Iranian toll on the Strait of Hormuz and said the US would help keep shipping open.
If Iran agrees to serious nuclear limits, sanctions relief could follow and help unlock a ceasefire extension. Clear rules for the Strait of Hormuz could also reduce the risk of attacks on shipping.
If Iran refuses to give up enrichment or the US refuses to release frozen funds, the ceasefire talks could stall. The dispute over Hormuz could also stay dangerous if mines, toll threats, or attacks on ships continue.
