Arabic version: المرشد الأعلى الإيراني يشارك بشكل أكثر نشاطًا في المفاوضات الجارية مع الولايات المتحدة

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified on June 2 that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei seems to be taking a more active role in the ongoing negotiations between the two countries following a truce established on April 8. According to Al Jazeera, Rubio noted that Khamenei, who has not been publicly seen since US air strikes killed his father and predecessor on the first day of the war, is reportedly alive and more engaged in national affairs.

Rubio indicated that Khamenei’s communications have primarily been in writing and through intermediaries. As Tehran reviews a revised US proposal aimed at ending the conflict, it has not communicated with the US for several days, reflecting a stern approach due to perceived US non-compliance with the ceasefire terms.

President Donald Trump has emphasized that discussions with Iran are ongoing, asserting that the US talks may now encompass aspects of Iran’s nuclear program that were previously off the table. However, Rubio cautioned that there are no guarantees that these discussions will yield an acceptable deal.

The US’s conditions for negotiations include Iran’s commitment to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing its stock of highly enriched uranium. Rubio made it clear that sanctions relief would only be considered after significant concessions from Iran regarding its nuclear program, stating that no offers for sanctions relief have been discussed as part of the negotiations.