Rubio said the United States is targeting Iran’s naval and missile capabilities and its defence industrial base, including facilities used to manufacture missiles and drones. According to him, the effort is intended to ensure that Iran cannot rebuild these capabilities in the future or use them to pursue a nuclear weapons programme.
He said the operation was progressing faster than expected and that Washington expects to achieve its objectives “in a matter of weeks, not months”.
Rubio also addressed concerns about Iran’s threats to control the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route for energy supplies. He said such a move would not be allowed and noted that many countries depend heavily on energy flows through the waterway.The secretary said US President Donald Trump has multiple options available to respond if Iran attempts to impose restrictions or create a system to control passage through the strait.
At the same time, Rubio indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. He said messages were being exchanged through intermediaries and that the US would prefer a negotiated outcome if Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions and support for militant groups in the region.
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Rubio added that there are signs of internal divisions within Iran and suggested that some individuals may be signalling a willingness to move in a different direction.
However, he stressed that Washington remains cautious and will test whether those signals translate into concrete action.
