A peace deal to resolve the conflict with Iran is imminent and the US State Department can be optimistic, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, stressing Tehran needs to “take a significant step” to reduce its nuclear program before any “sanctions relief” is possible.
Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in his testimony that a breakthrough could happen anytime.
“Now we have a chance, today, tomorrow or next week.”
His comments have come as the 3-month conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran seems to have come to a halt.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s major shipping lanes for oil and gas, continues to cause global energy markets to fluctuate, raising concerns for the international community.
Any permanent peace deal would have to involve Iran reopening the strategic waterway and halting its nuclear development efforts, Rubio said.
He contended that the sanctions against Tehran are directly connected with its uranium enrichment and nuclear programme.
If Iran stops those activities then the sanctions may be lifted, Rubio said.
A ceasefire has been in effect since early April, but recent incidents of firing strikes at each other have revealed the tensions between the Iranian and American forces.
Rubio insisted that the conflict is over, despite these incidents. He backed the military action saying it had crippled Iran’s military, such as its navy, missile launchers and defence industry.
He also claimed that Iran’s economy faced a much more difficult situation at present than several months ago.
Rubio also said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who allegedly was injured during the war, is alive and increasing his activities in state affairs.
Mojtaba Khamenei ascended to the position of his father Ali Khamenei, who was murdered in the opening barrage of US-Israeli bombing, which started the war on February 28.
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