Rubio says U.S. operation targets Iran missile and naval threats
- 11 hours ago
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Washington, March 2, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday the U.S. military operation against Iran is aimed at eliminating the threat from Iran’s short-range ballistic missiles and the threat posed by Iran’s navy, particularly to naval assets.
Rubio described that as the mission’s objective, despite remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump linking the operation to regime change in Iran.
He acknowledged Iran was likely to respond if it came under attack, while arguing the United States faced an imminent threat. Rubio told reporters on Capitol Hill, before briefing the “Gang of Eight” congressional leaders, that Washington expected an Israeli action and believed it would trigger attacks against U.S. forces, and that pre-emptive strikes were intended to reduce potential casualties.
Rubio also described Iran’s continued development of short-range ballistic missiles as an unacceptable risk and said the operation was undertaken while Tehran was at what he called its weakest point.
