Rubio defends Iran war as needed

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the U.S. war against Iran on Sunday, stating that President Donald Trump launched the conflict to stop a nuclear threat even though the decision was not universally popular with Americans. Rubio made these remarks in Florida before departing for a meeting of Group of 7 foreign ministers in Paris.

The comments come two days after voters rejected the Republican party in Tuesday's elections. Democrats took control of Congress, a result that analysts and party members linked to the high cost of living and specific economic impacts of the war. Gasoline prices rose as the conflict disrupted shipments in the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway previously carried one-fifth of the world's oil supply.

Rubio addressed the political fallout directly. He said Trump identified a real threat in the Islamic Republic and acted to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The secretary noted that confronting difficult security challenges is often not popular but remains necessary for the country.

This stance places Rubio in disagreement with Vice President JD Vance. Vance posted on social media last week, largely blaming the war for the Republican electoral losses. President Trump commented on the rift on Sunday. He said Vance was correct to critique the war's popularity but should have also insisted it was the right choice to fight.

Trump described the decision to go to war as one of the best things the administration ever did. He warned that if Iran had secured a nuclear weapon, the country would have the capability to destroy the world.

The conflict has lasted more than eight months. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. This level is a short technical step away from the 90 percent purity required for weapons-grade material.

Mediators are currently trying to revive talks between the U.S. and Iran. Rubio said he would not say the U.S. is on the verge of a breakthrough. He added that diplomacy has not been productive because Iranian demands are unacceptable and unrealistic.

The U.S. military has continued limited strikes on Iran. These attacks targeted air defenses at least twice in the past week. On Saturday, the U.S. Navy fired on a commercial ship, disabling it after the vessel attempted to breach the naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Rubio said the U.S. retains the right to defend itself if there is a clear threat to shipping or American forces in the region. Trump told CNN that if the U.S. signs a strong agreement with Tehran, it is highly unlikely that strikes will resume. However, he noted that the U.S. has already identified 38 bridges as potential targets if military action returns.