Rubio Defends Iran War as Needed Despite Unpopularity
The Secretary of State argues the conflict was necessary to stop a nuclear threat, even as Republicans lost control of Congress in Tuesday's elections.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that the war against Iran was not necessarily popular, but he argued it was necessary to protect the world from the country's nuclear ambitions. Speaking on Sunday at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida, Rubio offered a defense of the conflict that had been running for more than eight months.
Rubio refused to comment directly on the Republican defeat in Tuesday's elections, a result that shifted congressional control to Democrats. Voters cited the unpopularity of the war and its impact on gasoline prices as primary reasons for their votes. The conflict disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously carried one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Addressing Vice President JD Vance's social media post that blamed the war for the Republican losses, Rubio said President Donald Trump identified a very real threat. Rubio noted that confronting difficult security challenges is not always popular, but it is often necessary. He stated, 'He addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country.. doing it isn't necessarily popular, but necessary.'
Trump agreed with Vance on Sunday, adding that he believed the decision to go to war would be remembered as one of the best things the administration ever did. The President warned that if Iran had acquired a nuclear weapon, it would have been able to destroy the world.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity. This level is a short technical step away from the 90% purity required for weapons-grade material.
Rubio said the United States prefers a diplomatic solution, but he described recent talks as not very productive. He called Iranian demands unacceptable and sometimes outrageous. Mediators, including Qatar, are trying to revive negotiations. Iran is reviewing proposals but insists on core conditions such as ending the U.S. port blockade, lifting sanctions, and unfreezing assets before it will negotiate over its atomic activities.
The U.S. military has continued limited strikes against Iranian air defenses over the past week. It also disabled a commercial ship on Saturday that officials said was attempting to breach the naval blockade. Trump told CNN that he has identified 38 bridges and other infrastructure targets to strike if military action resumes, though he said a strong agreement would make further strikes highly unlikely.
Rubio admitted the U.S. has the right to defend itself if there is a clear threat to shipping or American forces in the region. He added that while there is no immediate diplomatic breakthrough, the administration remains focused on securing a deal.
