US Lawmakers Question Rubio and Witkoff on Uranium Stockpile and Hormuz Mines

On Monday, bipartisan members of the US Congress interrogated Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the senior Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in the first extensive briefing regarding the memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump.

During a group call with House members, Democratic lawmakers posed sharp questions, while Republican Representative Darrell Issa pressed Trump administration officials about the status of Iran's stockpile of uranium that is near weapons-grade.

According to two informed sources cited by Politico, Witkoff and Rubio confirmed what the administration had previously communicated to some lawmakers in closed sessions: the objective is to reach a final agreement that prevents Iran from retaining highly enriched uranium.

They clarified that the memorandum signed by Trump earlier this month was intended to open the door for such negotiations.

Concerns Over Financial Gains and Sanctions Relief

Democrats sought additional details about the financial benefits Iran might receive under the memorandum, including revenues from oil that had been previously sanctioned.

Informed sources reported that Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz engaged in a discussion with Rubio and Witkoff about lifting oil sanctions before the call was abruptly cut off.

A Trump administration official, speaking anonymously, stated that the call was disconnected due to technical difficulties and not because of questions raised by Wasserman Schultz.

Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean also raised questions regarding Witkoff's business interests in the Middle East during his negotiations with Iran, prompting Rubio to mount a strong defense of Witkoff, according to two sources.

Senate Briefing Highlights Oil Revenue and Hormuz Strait Influence

In a separate call with Senate members, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer questioned officials about oil sanctions and later stated that they confirmed Iran would earn billions of dollars from oil revenues while maintaining dangerous influence over the Strait of Hormuz.

Schumer described the briefing as "late, incomplete, and lacking in details," and called on Rubio to make those statements publicly and under oath.

An administration official responded that Schumer had previously received a briefing on the deal along with other national security leaders and had the opportunity to ask further questions during a Senate meeting.

White House Provides Confidential Briefing Amid Bipartisan Skepticism

Later, White House officials delivered a classified briefing to senior congressional leaders and committee chairs at the Capitol amid bipartisan doubts about the memorandum's provisions, particularly regarding the lifting of oil sanctions and the $300 billion reconstruction fund.

Republicans fear that the fund could bolster the Iranian military and its regional proxies.

Rubio and Witkoff also sought to alleviate concerns about the slow reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need to remove additional naval mines.

Witkoff noted that Iran violated the agreement by launching a drone attack on a passing vessel over the weekend.