US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appears to be taking a more active role in negotiations following the April 8 truce. Rubio noted that Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since US strikes killed his father, is communicating in writing and through intermediaries. Tehran is reviewing a US proposal to end the war, with President Trump tightening terms.
Rubio said talks may now include aspects of Iran's nuclear programme that were off-limits a month ago, but cautioned that a deal is not guaranteed. The US demands Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and commit to negotiations on its enriched uranium. Iran insists a full ceasefire in Lebanon must be part of any agreement, with parliament speaker Ghalibaf warning of direct confrontation if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.