Congress Presses U.S. Officials on Iran Deal as Uranium and Oil Sanctions Concerns Intensify

Republicans and Democrats in Congress questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Monday, marking their first briefing with a broad group of lawmakers since the U.S. and Iran signed a June 17 memorandum of understanding to cease hostilities.

The MOU established a 60-day framework while the sides work toward a permanent deal. The agreement requires that Iran make its best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in return for lifting the U.S. naval blockade of its ports.

During an afternoon conference call with House members, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., pressed Rubio and Witkoff on the fate of Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium.

Witkoff and Rubio reiterated assurances previously given to select lawmakers that the administration aims to negotiate a final deal prohibiting Iran from retaining highly enriched uranium. Two anonymous sources cited by Politico disclosed these private remarks.

Witkoff noted that the technical team handling uranium negotiations was traveling from Switzerland to Qatar, where talks are scheduled to resume Tuesday.

Democrats sought detailed information on financial benefits Iran could gain under the MOU, including proceeds from previously sanctioned oil sales. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., engaged in a back-and-forth discussion with Rubio and Witkoff regarding the lifting of oil sanctions, according to two anonymous individuals involved in the House call.

The officials concluded the conversation after a series of exchanges.

Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., raised concerns about Witkoff’s business interests in the Middle East during negotiations with Iran, prompting a sharp defense from Rubio.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., questioned Rubio and Witkoff about oil sanctions during a separate all-senators briefing on Monday. In a post-briefing statement, Schumer stated that they confirmed to him “Iran will reap billions in oil revenue while retaining dangerous leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.” He added that if this were the administration’s defense behind closed doors, Rubio should make it “under oath, in public, before the Foreign Relations Committee,” calling the briefing “delayed, deficient, and devoid of details.”

An anonymous administration official stated Schumer had received a prior briefing on the deal as part of a group of top congressional leaders engaged in national security matters. The official also noted that Schumer had opportunities for follow-up questions during Monday’s Senate call.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., described the Senate briefing as “productive” but remarked that “much of what I heard today is similar to what I heard last week” during a dinner at Vice President JD Vance’s residence.

The House is in session this week, while the Senate observes a two-week July 4 recess.

Separately, White House officials held a classified briefing with top congressional leaders and key committee chairs at the Capitol on Monday, according to Politico.

Rubio and Witkoff addressed concerns about the slow reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route whose closure has driven up fuel and fertilizer costs. They noted that more mine removal is required and that Iran had breached the deal by launching a drone attack on a commercial vessel over the weekend.

They also assured lawmakers that Iran had received no money under the memorandum—particularly not directly from U.S. sources.

Administration officials have previously stated that a $300 billion reconstruction fund agreed upon in the MOU does not include U.S. funds.