US Seeks Shipping Access Before Iran Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping is a prerequisite for any negotiations with Iran. He also stressed that Tehran would not receive sanctions relief automatically, but only in exchange for meeting specific conditions.

According to Rubio, Iran must "communicate very clearly" that the Strait of Hormuz is once again open to maritime traffic. A second requirement is a commitment to negotiate the future of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The US secretary of state also commented on Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rubio said Khamenei remains alive and increasingly involved in running the country, although his communications are conducted in writing and through intermediaries.

Rubio reiterated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz alone would not automatically lead to an easing of sanctions. Any sanctions relief, he said, would depend on concrete steps by Tehran.

Washington therefore expects not only the restoration of shipping through the strategic waterway but also a commitment from Iran to negotiate the future of its highly enriched uranium reserves.

(guardian, bak)