Iran-US War Latest: Rubio Says War Will ‘Last Weeks, Not Months’ and That Ground Troops Won’t Be Needed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the conflict with Iran is expected to conclude within weeks rather than months, emphasizing that the United States can achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops. This assessment came after Rubio met with G7 foreign ministers in France, where he noted that Iran had signaled a willingness to engage in discussions about “certain things.” The remarks follow reports that President Donald Trump is considering sending an additional 10,000 troops to the Middle East, which would be positioned near Iran and Kharg Island, a critical oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes. State media warned that any vessels attempting to transit the waterway would face “harsh measures,” with specific prohibitions on shipping to and from ports supporting “Israeli-American enemies.” Three container ships of mixed nationalities were reportedly forced to turn back after warnings. The closure of the strait has exacerbated a global energy crisis, with countries facing soaring fuel costs and supply shortages. The Philippines declared an energy emergency, citing only 45 days of fuel reserves. Despite US efforts to initiate peace talks, Iran has maintained its stance of blocking maritime traffic through the strait. Rubio also criticized Iran’s potential move to implement a tolling system for the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “unacceptable.” He reiterated that the US is awaiting further clarification on who will represent Iran in negotiations, as the country has denied direct talks with the US but acknowledged receiving a proposal to end the conflict.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #marco_rubio #g7 #us_secretary_of_state
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Warns Strongest Strikes on Iran Are Still to Come US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Tuesday that the most powerful American strikes against Iran have not yet been carried out, as military operations continue to escalate. Speaking before briefing congressional leaders, Rubio emphasized that the campaign is pre-emptive and focused on dismantling Iran’s missile and naval capabilities rather than pursuing regime change. He denied allegations that US forces deliberately targeted a school during recent strikes. Rubio stated that the United States has clear objectives for its military actions and will persist until those goals are achieved. “The strongest strikes by the US military are still on the way and have not yet been executed,” he said, describing the next phase of operations as “far more punitive and severe.” He added that the campaign aims to ensure global safety by neutralizing Iran’s ability to threaten international security through its ballistic missile and maritime forces. The secretary revealed that the US launched its attack on Iran preemptively after intelligence indicated Israel was preparing to strike, which could have led to retaliation against US forces. “We knew that if we didn’t act first, we would suffer higher casualties,” Rubio told reporters. He acknowledged hopes for political transformation in Iran but clarified that regime change is not the current mission’s goal. “We hope the Iranian people can overthrow this government and create a new future for their country,” he said, though he reiterated that the focus remains on destroying Iran’s military infrastructure. Rubio rejected claims that US forces targeted a school during an alleged strike, insisting that such an action would not be deliberate.#iran #marco_rubio #us_military #us_secretary_of_state #iranian_regime
