Rubio says US aims in Iran operation can be met without ground forces
- 6 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 Trump administration believes its objectives in the operation against Iran “can be achieved without ground forces,” and warned that “the hardest hits are yet to come.”
“Right now, we’re not postured for ground forces, but obviously the president has those options,” Rubio told reporters on Capitol Hill. “He’s never going to rule out anything.”
The focus is on destroying Iran’s ballistic missile launchers, stockpiles and manufacturing capability, along with one-way attack drones and Iran’s navy, Rubio said, citing threats to global shipping.
“I’m not going to give away the details of our tactical efforts, but the hardest hits are yet to come from the US military. The next phase will be even more punishing on Iran than it is right now,” Rubio said, echoing comments President Donald Trump made to CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Rubio said congressional leadership had been notified about the operation and that the administration has “complied with the law 100%.”
“I think the notification went today, but we did notify members of Congress in advance, but we can’t notify 535 members of Congress,” he said.
A U.S. official said Rubio called all members of the “Gang of Eight” ahead of the start of the strikes but was only able to reach seven.
