US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said President Donald Trump launched the war against Iran to protect the world from Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Speaking to reporters in Florida on Sunday, Rubio said Trump had “identified a very real threat” and had worked to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Rubio acknowledged the war is unpopular. He said Trump had described “difficult challenges for the security of our country”, and that acting on them “isn’t necessarily popular, but necessary.”
Rubio says talks are not near a breakthrough
On efforts to end the war, Rubio said, “I wouldn’t say we’re at the verge of a breakthrough.” He added that Trump prefers a diplomatic solution, but described Iranian demands as “not just unacceptable, but in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic.”
Also read: Trump defends Iran war after Republican midterm losses · Iran sends nuclear proposal to US via Qatar, official says
Trump defends Iran war after Vance’s midterm remarks
Rubio’s comments followed Trump saying that “a lot of people didn’t like” recent remarks by Vice President JD Vance. Vance had blamed the US-led war on Iran for the Republican Party’s crushing defeat in last week’s midterm elections. Trump said he mostly agreed with Vance but did not regret the decision to go to war.
Trump said the war “will go down as one of the best things we ever did,” and that if Tehran had a nuclear weapon, “they would blow up the world.” In a phone interview broadcast on Sunday, he said that as long as Washington sees progress in negotiations and Tehran signs a “strong agreement”, further US strikes were “highly unlikely” to be necessary.
Iran sets two-day offer as Qatar mediates
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that it was “time for the White House to make its own” decision on the war. Writing on X, he said “American voters have made their choice,” referring to the midterm results.
Araghchi said Tehran’s “2-day proposal stands” and that the United States must meet the requirements, including an end to war on all fronts. Otherwise, he warned, Iranian forces would “rain down hell.” Iran has offered to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within two days if Washington meets its conditions.
Trump is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House on Monday, according to his official schedule. Tehran is reviewing Qatari proposals aimed at addressing differences with Washington, the news agency said.
