**Rubio Testifies on Iran War, Nuclear Talks and Strait of Hormuz Demands Before Senate Panel**

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 2, 2026, his first congressional appearance since the start of the Iran conflict. Rubio, who also serves as national security advisor, said the U.S. military operation had dramatically reduced Iran's ability to build missiles and drones by destroying much of the conventional shield Iran had constructed around its nuclear program.

Rubio stated that Iran had been trying to build a point of immunity through a combination of missiles, drones and naval assets, which the administration acted to deny. He described Operation Epic Fury as highly successful while acknowledging that Iran still possesses a large number of drones because they are easy to manufacture.

Rubio said the U.S. remains in negotiations with Iran about a deal to pause the war and that there is the prospect Iran could negotiate aspects of its nuclear program.

He told senators that talks with Iran require the use of intermediaries and that it is not a guarantee the talks will produce a deal acceptable to the Senate or the American people. Rubio added that the negotiations will test how far Iran is willing to go on its nuclear program.

On the same day, President Trump posted on Truth Social that reports claiming Iran and the United States had stopped speaking several days ago were false. Trump wrote that conversations have been continuous, occurring four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today, and that it is time for Iran to make a deal after 47 years.

Rubio said reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains central to any de-escalation. He specified that Iran must announce it will no longer fire on commercial ships, declare the strait open, stop charging a toll, help remove mines, and pledge not to fire on commercial vessels.

On June 1, Iran's Tasnim news outlet reported that Iranian negotiators would stop exchanging messages with the United States through intermediaries and that Iran would move to fully close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Fars news agency reported on June 2 that Iran and the United States had stopped exchanging messages several days earlier.

The hearing, which also touched on Cuba, Venezuela and questions about regime change policy, occurred in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Rubio is scheduled to appear before several additional House and Senate panels this week.