Tehran must severely curtail its nuclear programme before any sanctions are lifted., he stressed. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Marco Rubio confirms Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and active, pushing for Iran to limit nuclear program for sanctions relief.

Marco Rubio confirms Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and active, pushing for Iran to limit nuclear program for sanctions relief.

Iranian media had reported US-Iran negotiations were halted amid continued fighting in Lebanon. US President Trump later said reports of stalled talks were "fake news." More on DW.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he believes Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and "increasingly engaging at some level" in decision-making, even though he hasn't appeared in public.

Secretary of state tells Congress Iran must fully reopen Hormuz, sanctions relief will be contingent on nuclear concessions, also reports that Khamenei appears more involved in process

President Trump on Tuesday insisted that talks with Iran have been continuous, despite recent turmoil in the Middle East and a flare-up over Israel's actions in Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Tehran must reopen the shipping channel for any peace agreement to take hold.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Tehran must reopen the shipping channel for any peace agreement to take hold.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since assuming office after his father's death in US-Israeli strikes. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since assuming office after his father's death in US-Israeli strikes. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

This optimistic outlook builds on a statement he had made just a few hours earlier on Monday, when the US President announced that negotiations with Tehran are progressing at a rapid pace, despite a recent exchange of fire that has severely tested the fragile truce between the two nations.

Marco Rubio told senators Mojtaba Khamenei appears increasingly involved in governing Iran. The comments came as Washington and Tehran traded conflicting signals over nuclear talks and sanctions.

Iran's warning to halt the diplomatic talks prompted an intervention from Trump, who at one point reportedly yelled at Netanyahu, What the f*** are you doing? Following the exchange, Netanyahu's office released a statement asserting that Israel's position remains the same.

<p>Iranian officials have conditioned any further talks on an immediate end to Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon, plus a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas in Lebanon.<br />  </p>