Rubio says war on Iran unpopular but ‘necessary’ to stop nuclear threat

What the report says

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump launched the war against Iran because he believed Tehran posed a real nuclear threat and that stopping it was necessary, even if unpopular. Speaking to reporters in Florida on Sunday, Rubio said Trump viewed the conflict as a difficult but required step to protect US security and the wider world.

Rubio also said diplomacy had not reached a breakthrough. He said Trump prefers a negotiated settlement, but described Iran’s demands as unrealistic and unacceptable. His remarks came after Trump defended the war and said he did not regret ordering it, while also suggesting future strikes were unlikely if talks produced a strong agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that the White House should make its own decision and pointed to Tehran’s proposal for ending the fighting. In comments reported by Al Jazeera, he said Iran was prepared to meet conditions that would end the war on all fronts, while warning that continued conflict would bring further retaliation. Tehran is also reviewing proposals put forward by Qatar, according to the Associated Press, which Al Jazeera cited.

The exchange comes as Trump is set to meet Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister in Washington. The article also notes that Rubio recently rejected speculation that he intended to leave the State Department for a future political run.