Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted on Sunday that President Donald Trump initiated the war against Iran with the aim of safeguarding the world from the country's nuclear ambitions, even if the decision was not "necessarily popular." Rubio's remarks come as the Republican party grapples with election losses that some, including Vice President JD Vance, have attributed to the war's impact on gasoline prices and the broader economy.
Rubio, speaking before a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris, defended Trump's actions, stating that the president "identified a very real threat" in Iran and worked to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He contrasted this with Vance's recent social media post, which directly linked the war to Republican electoral setbacks. Rubio emphasized that confronting difficult challenges for national security, even if unpopular, is sometimes necessary.
Trump, in a separate interview, acknowledged Vance was correct about the war's effect on the election but added that it was a historically significant action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, maintains its nuclear program is peaceful. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level technically close to weapons-grade.
While Rubio indicated that diplomatic talks with Iran are not on the "verge of a breakthrough," he reiterated Trump's preference for a diplomatic solution. He described Iran's current demands as "unacceptable" and "outrageous." Trump is scheduled to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss the ongoing situation.
The Associated Press has reported that Iran is reviewing proposals from Qatar aimed at resolving differences with the U.S. over its nuclear program. However, Iran has reportedly been unwilling to negotiate with the Trump administration until the U.S. agrees to several core conditions, including ending the blockade on Iranian ports, lifting sanctions, and unfreezing assets.
Despite the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough, Trump told CNN that progress in negotiations and a "strong agreement" would make further military action "highly unlikely." However, he noted that the U.S. has identified infrastructure targets, including bridges, for potential strikes should military action resume. The U.S. military has conducted limited strikes in the region recently, including against air defenses and a commercial ship attempting to breach a naval blockade.