Omanghana
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told lawmakers that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains alive and is playing a growing role in shaping the country’s position during ongoing peace negotiations, despite not appearing publicly in recent months.
Speaking during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Rubio provided what he described as the most detailed public assessment yet of Iran’s leadership structure and negotiating process since the conflict that began on February 28.
According to Rubio, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the military strike that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly left him injured.
Despite his absence from public view, Rubio said U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Khamenei is becoming increasingly active in directing Iran’s policy through written communications and trusted intermediaries.
The secretary suggested that security concerns are a major reason for Khamenei’s continued seclusion.
“Being public is probably not something that’s recommended for them internally,” Rubio told lawmakers, referring to the risks facing Iran’s leadership.
Rubio revealed that communication challenges within Iran’s leadership structure are contributing to delays in diplomatic negotiations.
According to his testimony, Khamenei is operating from a secure underground location and relies on a network of couriers to transmit instructions and receive updates. As a result, responses to U.S. proposals can take between three and five days to reach negotiators.
The secretary noted that these logistical hurdles have complicated efforts to advance ceasefire and peace discussions.
Rubio also described a postwar governing arrangement in which Khamenei remains the central authority but works alongside an advisory council made up of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other senior regime figures.
Under this structure, key officials, including Iran’s foreign minister and parliamentary speaker, reportedly require approval from the council before making major decisions, adding another layer to the negotiation process.
Officials believe the system has contributed to slower decision-making and reduced flexibility during talks.
The hearing featured pointed questions from lawmakers regarding the administration’s negotiating strategy and whether any emerging framework resembles the 2015 nuclear agreement reached under former President Barack Obama.
Rubio rejected those comparisons, insisting that the administration is not offering premature concessions or sanctions relief as part of ongoing discussions.
He emphasized that any future easing of sanctions would be tied directly to specific actions by Tehran, including the dismantling of its nuclear program and a complete halt to uranium enrichment activities.
According to Rubio, sanctions relief remains strictly conditions-based and will only be considered after measurable commitments are fulfilled.
Addressing regional security concerns, Rubio said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is viewed by the United States as an essential starting point for broader diplomatic progress.
The strategic waterway, through which millions of barrels of oil pass daily, remains a critical component of global energy markets.
However, Rubio stressed that reopening the strait should not be interpreted as an automatic trigger for sanctions relief or other concessions.
Instead, he described it as a necessary first step in a larger peace process that would require additional agreements and confidence-building measures.
While Rubio said recent military operations had significantly weakened Iran’s conventional defense infrastructure, he cautioned lawmakers against underestimating the country’s remaining capabilities.
According to the secretary, Iran continues to possess substantial missile and drone assets, which remain a factor in ongoing ceasefire negotiations and regional security calculations.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Rubio acknowledged that negotiations remain fragile and face considerable obstacles, despite what he described as gradual progress toward a potential long-term settlement.
Source: Omanghana
