U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the war launched against Iran was “isn’t necessarily popular” but necessary to stop a nuclear threat while mediators try to revive talks.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s war against Iran as necessary even if it was not “necessarily popular,” speaking Sunday in Florida before heading to a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Paris.
Rubio said Trump “identified a very real threat” in Iran and worked to stop the Islamic Republic from pursuing a nuclear weapon, adding that confronting difficult security challenges for the country is “isn’t necessarily popular, but necessary.” He did not comment directly on Tuesday’s U.S. elections, which resulted in Republicans’ resounding defeat and a shift that included Democrats taking control of Congress.
Rubio spoke amid voter frustration tied to the economy and higher energy prices, including impacts that stemmed from disruptions to shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s oil transits. He also addressed differences with Vice President J.D. Vance, who has publicly linked the war to the election losses.
Rubio said Iran long maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, and cited International Atomic Energy Agency figures that Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a step short of weapons-grade levels of 90%.
As mediators work to revive talks between the United States and Iran, Rubio said, “I wouldn’t say we’re at the verge of a breakthrough.” He said Trump prefers a diplomatic solution but that it has not been productive because Iranian demands are “simply not just unacceptable” and not realistic. Rubio also said the U.S. will take defensive actions if needed, adding, “If there’s a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have a right to defend ourselves.”
Trump said in a Sunday phone interview that he is not looking to escalate after the election and that it is “highly unlikely” strikes would resume as long as the U.S. sees progress in negotiations and the sides sign a “strong agreement.” He said the U.S. has identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, that it would strike if military action resumes.
The U.S. military has continued limited strikes, including against air defences, at least twice over the past week, and it fired on and disabled a commercial ship Saturday that the U.S. said was trying to breach its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Rubio also commented as Iran reviews proposals presented by chief mediator Qatar, aimed at addressing differences with the United States related to Tehran’s nuclear programme. The conditions described for a ceasefire include ending the U.S. blockade on Iran’s ports, lifting sanctions, unfreezing assets, providing compensation for war damage, and ending hostilities across the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Trump is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House on Monday, according to his official schedule.
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