Mojtaba Khamenei is increasingly engaged at some level, Rubio says

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is becoming more engaged in the country's affairs at some level. Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday regarding the State Department's budget request for fiscal year 2027.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is increasingly engaged at some level and that Iran retains a large number of drones despite its "conventional shield" being substantially eroded by US-Israeli strikes.

Rubio also stated that Iran continues to maintain a substantial arsenal of drones. This comes despite the erosion of its conventional military shield, which he attributed to strikes conducted by the United States and Israel. The Secretary of State noted that Iran has agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program that it had previously refused to discuss.

However, Rubio cautioned that this development does not guarantee that negotiations will result in an agreement to end the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. He reiterated that the Trump administration has not offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for opening the Strait of Hormuz. Any such relief, he added, would be contingent upon Tehran meeting specific conditions related to its nuclear program.

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Iran had agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program that it previously refused to discuss, noting that the development was not a guarantee that talks would lead to a deal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Rubio's testimony is part of a series of public appearances before Congress concerning President Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly the war in Iran. Republicans have expressed concerns about the conflict, and lawmakers hoped Rubio, a former senator, would outline a strategy for its resolution. The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

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the Trump administration has not offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for opening the Strait of Hormuz, and said any sanctions relief would be based on Tehran meeting conditions relating to its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized Rubio for a perceived lack of information provided to Congress regarding the administration's plans. She expressed frustration, stating that constituents are more concerned with domestic economic relief than foreign interventions. Shaheen also pointed out the administration's issuance of a war powers notification that claimed the US was not in active hostilities with Iran, despite ongoing strikes against Iran and Iranian bombings of US embassies.

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When I talk to my constituents, they ask for economic relief at home, not regime change in Havana or Caracas or Tehran.