Secretary of State Rubio addresses Iran relations and nuclear negotiations

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated before Congress that major military operations against Iran, known as 'Epic Wrath,' have concluded. Rubio claimed that the operation successfully destroyed Iran's defensive industrial capabilities, naval forces, and a significant portion of its missile and drone assets. Despite these claims, tensions remain high as Iran allegedly launched 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones at Kuwait, while the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Iranian Revolutionary Guards attributed the damage in Kuwait to a malfunctioning U.S. air defense system. Rubio noted that the U.S. is currently engaged in talks with Tehran, with Iran now showing willingness to discuss its nuclear program. A primary condition for progress in these negotiations is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping. Additionally, the U.S. intelligence assesses that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and increasingly involved in the country's governance. Rubio cautioned that there is no guarantee these talks will result in a formal agreement, and emphasized that sanctions relief will be contingent on nuclear commitments rather than just the opening of the strait.