Rubio questioned on Iran war strategy and gas prices in Senate hearing
10 reported3 unconfirmed
Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced questions from lawmakers during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday about the war in Iran, including when it will end and when gas prices might return to normal. The hearing was the first public opportunity for lawmakers to question Rubio since the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran in late February. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said the global economy has been held hostage while President Trump gives what Murphy called wildly different accounts about the war’s end and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio stated that the straits must be reopened and that the U.S. will lift its blockade of Iranian ports only once Iran stops firing on commercial vessels, adding that sanctions will not be eased until Iran negotiates over its nuclear program. Senator Cory Booker expressed frustration that U.S. diplomacy is stalled and that Iran has gained leverage by closing the strait, while Rubio pushed back, saying no one is begging and that Iran’s economy is losing hundreds of millions of dollars a day. Rubio acknowledged that the U.S. is dealing with a fractured system in Iran, noting that Iran’s supreme leader was killed early in the conflict and his son, who took his place, has not been seen in public. Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen criticized Rubio for not personally taking part in negotiations hosted by Pakistan earlier this year, but Rubio said he was co-located with the president during those talks and had a capable team on the ground led by the vice president.
What’s reported
Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced questions at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday about the war in Iran, including when it will end and when gas prices will return to normal.
The hearing was the first public chance for lawmakers to question Rubio since the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran in late February.
Senator Chris Murphy said the global economy has been held hostage and that President Trump gives wildly different accounts about when the war will end and when traffic can resume in the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio stated the straits must be reopened and that the U.S. will lift its blockade of Iranian ports only when Iran stops firing on commercial vessels; sanctions will not be eased until Iran negotiates over its nuclear program.
Senator Cory Booker expressed frustration that the first Trump administration trashed President Obama’s nuclear deal, diplomacy is stalled, and Iran has found new leverage by closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio pushed back, saying no one is begging and that Iran’s economy is losing hundreds of millions of dollars a day.
Rubio acknowledged the U.S. is dealing with a fractured system in Iran; Iran’s supreme leader was killed early in the conflict, and his son, who took his place, has not been seen in public.
Senator Mike Lee asked if Rubio is confident the son is still alive; Rubio said there are indications he is increasingly engaging at some level but all communications have been in writing and through intermediaries.
Senator Jacky Rosen criticized Rubio for not personally taking part in negotiations hosted by Pakistan earlier this year; she mistakenly said he was at a party in Miami, but it was actually at a UFC fight.
Rubio said he was co-located with the president during the high-stakes negotiations and had a capable team on the ground in Pakistan led by the vice president, along with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Open questions
When the war in Iran will end.
When gas prices might return to normal.
Whether Iran’s new supreme leader is still alive and actively engaging in leadership.
Key figures
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Chris Murphy, Democratic Senator from Connecticut
Cory Booker, Democratic Senator from New Jersey
Mike Lee, Republican Senator from Utah
Jacky Rosen, Democratic Senator from Nevada
Steve Witkoff, Trump envoy and real estate developer
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law
Michele Kelemen, NPR reporter
Sources: NPR
